National Iris Convention 2024
The next National Iris Convention will be hosted by the Inland Regional Iris Society in October 2024.
All are welcome. Watch this space for more information.
National Iris Convention 2022
Hosted by South Australian Iris Society
20 - 24 October 2022
Day 1- Registration and welcome dinner
Our Conference commenced with Registration and a lovely welcome dinner at the Arkaba Hotel, getting to know our new iris loving companions from WA, NSW, Victoria and SA.
We enjoyed a wonderful educational talk by guest speaker Chuck Chapman (USA) on "Life Cycle of Bearded Iris".
Pictured: Colin and Nerina Kirkman of Roots 'n' Leaves Irises, S.A. (SA Region members)
Day 2 - Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, Mount Lofty Summit and Cleland Australian Wildlife Park
While the SA team were busy setting up for their annual show the next day, convention guests were treated to a guided tour of the beautiful Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens. For something different, a relaxing afternoon was spent at Cleland Wildlife Park where we learnt about dingoes, tassie devils and koalas.
Day 3 - SA Iris Show
A bus to the show venue at the Goodwood Community Centre where we were greeted with a mass of colour. Truly a feast for the eyes! There was a great display of irises of a range of types. There were trader tables selling rhizomes and pots of irises, garden equipment, iris paraphenalia and collectibles.
While The Iris Society of Australia Annual General Meeting was held in the afternoon, an Ikebana flower arranging demonstration was held for those who chose not to spend a free afternoon exploring Adelaide. The evening was then free for exploring the culinary delights of Adelaide.
Day 4 - Northern Bus Trip - Smokin' Heights Iris Garden and
Roots 'n' Leaves Iris Garden
The weather was not on our side for day 4, and we were disappointed not to be able to visit Roots 'n' Leaves Iris Garden, which was inaccessible due to flooded roads. The SA Iris Society members quickly created a plan B and, while disappointing to miss Roots 'n' Leaves, we were treated to a guided tour of Anlaby Station (est. 1839), one of South Australia's most important heritage properties with a wonderful dry climate English garden. Then it was on to Smokin' Heights Iris Garden. The afternoon was spent browsing the iris fields, seeing fields of irises including the latest imports and yet to be released seedlings by mother and son team Melissa and Bailey Schiller. A free evening was an opportunity for some of the younger attendees to have a casual gathering at the hotel bar.
Day 5 - Adelaide Hills Gardens
Our final day started with a visit to the historic home of Jennifer McKay, also the site of the South Australian trial garden. Then it was on to the Adelaide Hills. First stop was the home of Colleen and Les Modra, where we were treated to a delicious morning tea while enjoying Colleen's stunning iris gardens. Frosty Flats, a beautiful private garden nestled in the Adelaide Hills was our final stop for the day. What an amazing garden this is. Many of the photos in the landscaping page of this site are taken at Frosty Flats. It was a privilege to spend time in this truly beautiful garden.
Back to the hotel for the closing dinner, and an informative panel discussion on irises to finish off a wonderful few days of learning, inspiration, relaxation, fun and new friends.
