Aril Trek 2018–
Arilbreds and the Other Irises
BY JEAN AND JIM MORRISO, UMRIIS ph ot os by jim m orris unless noted
Tom Waters has done a fine job writing about
some of the Arilbred irises at the Aril Trek held in Las
Cruces, New Mexico, April 6-7, 2018. See the reprint of
his AIS blog on page 36. Scarlett Ayres has also written
a fine piece about the growing conditions of Arilbreds
in the mesa and valley of Las Cruces (page 44). We will
add words and pictures about more Arilbreds and the
other irises seen in the guest gardens. We anticipated
seeing many Arilbreds but were stunned by the fact
that so many other iris types were in full bloom as well.
In a way this was a prelude to the AIS Convention to
be held in 2021 in Las Cruces. So we flew into El Paso,
Texas which has a shuttle service for the approximate
45-minute drive
north. Round trip
rental cars are also
available.
The trek hotel
which will be used in
2021 is the Encanto.
It has a great
outdoor swimming
pool bordered by
palm trees, so be
sure to bring your
swimsuits in 2021.
‘Marrying Kind’ (Keith Keppel 2015, TB)
POUNTNEY GARDEN, TORTUGAS AREA SOUTH
Breakfast was held in this residential garden hosted
by Jaqueline and Bob Pountney and members of the
Mesilla Valley Iris Society. Bordered by a rock wall, this
garden was crammed with all types of irises planted
in the ground, some in raised beds and some in horse
troughs. TBs in full bloom were the first thing we
saw, including ‘Marrying Kind’ (Keppel 2015), ‘Boston
Cream’ (Keppel 2014), ‘Cosmic Celebration’ (Lesley
Painter 2009), and ‘Silver Silk’ (Howie Dash 2017). The
front was so crowded with the irises so well grown,
that it was difficult to identify the plants with their
proper labels. ‘Stolen Sweets’ (Paul Black 2009, TB)
Hotel Encanto pool
38 AIS Bulletin Summer 2018