News & Events

Events

• Registration is now open for the 2027 AIS convention. Check out the convention website here.

Announcements

• Alabama Blue Fin wins the 2026 Dykes Medal! See all the winning irises here.
• The 2026 Membership drive special ends December 31, 2026. Check out this fantastic deal here.
• Popularity Poll is open open for voting September 1st thru December 1st. Vote for your favorite 25 irises, any variety, any class.
• The Summer issue of IRISES has been uploaded to the digital library and is available to eMembers now.

Press Releases

• The 2027 IRIS OF THE YEAR is ‘Alabama Blue Fin’. The American Iris Society (AIS) is pleased to announce the 2027 “Iris of the Year”, inter-species hybrid iris ‘Alabama Blue Fin’. This outstanding iris is the result of hybridizing work conducted by plant breeder Jill Copeland of Lawton, Michigan. Jill introduced ‘Alabama Blue Fin’ to the public through Ensata Gardens of Galesburg, Michigan in 2017. This is the first iris of its kind to win such acclaim in the 106-year history of The American Iris Society. Download the full PRESS RELEASE.
• The 2026 IRIS OF THE YEAR is ‘Royston Rubies’. The American Iris Society (AIS) is pleased to announce the 2026 “Iris of the Year”, tall bearded iris ‘Royston Rubies’. This outstanding iris is the result of hybridizing work conducted by plant breeder Adam Cordes of Hillman, Michigan. Adam introduced ‘Royston Rubies to the public through Mid-American Garden of Salem, Oregon in 2017. At the time of its introduction, Adam had been hybridizing irises for 13 years and ‘Royston Rubies’ was his first introduction. Download the full PRESS RELEASE.
• The 2025 IRIS OF THE YEAR is ‘Perry Dyer’. The American Iris Society (AIS) is pleased to announce the 2025 “Iris of the Year”: Arilbred iris ‘Perry Dyer’. This outstanding iris is the result of work conducted by plant hybridizer Paul Black of Milwauki, Oregon. He introduced ‘Perry Dyer’ to the public through Mid-America Garden of Salem, Oregon in 2017. Paul named this iris for his close friend and mentor Perry Dyer, late of Oklahoma. Download the full PRESS RELEASE.
• The 2024 IRIS OF THE YEAR is ‘Don’t Doubt Dalton‘. The American Iris Society (AIS) is pleased to announce the 2024 “Iris of the Year”: tall bearded iris ‘Don’t Doubt Dalton’. This outstanding iris is the result of work conducted by plant hybridizer Tom Burseen of Grand Prairie, Texas. He introduced ‘Don’t Doubt Dalton’ to the public through his commercial iris garden in 2015. Tom named this iris for a friend’s grandson who rides bulls. Tom is known for his tall bearded iris hybrids with unusual names. He also received the AIS Hybridizer Award in 2022. Download the full PRESS RELEASE.