Las Cruces, NM

[iris lilies]

I am in Las Cruces New Mexico for a week attending the American iris Society convention. It’s not miserably hot. I’m staying in a super cute, well designed casita of about 300 ft.². It has an enclosed front entrance patio, tiny, with four walls but has no roof. It has a back door that has access to a shared patio, shared with two other small properties in the complex.

I didn’t expect to find anything so cute in the new part of town. This casita has vaulted ceiling in the main room which makes it feel more spacious.

The one thing I’m noticing so far about Las Cruces is the ease of getting around. There’s not much traffic. Today I was out at rush-hour and it didn’t take long at all to get from the new part of town to the old part of town which I generally prefer.

I’m working the crowds from Illinois, parts of Missouri, and Kansas to get a couple of judging assignments that I need to complete my accreditation for iris judging. I’m shameless.

[Tybee]

Can you post a few pictures of the Casita? It sounds really neat.

[catherine]

Enjoy the convention! It must be so nice to get out among your tribe!

[iris lilies]

I will post image later. It has limited natural light and it is still nice.

Last night at dinner I sat next to a major hybridizer. Amazing.When his partner called me year about an order, i felt as though I had been called by a rock star and had to contact an iris friend about it.

[JaneV2.0]

I will post image later. It has limited natural light and it is still nice.

Last night at dinner I sat next to a major hybridizer. Amazing.When his partner called me year about an order, i felt as though I had been called by a rock star and had to contact an iris friend about it.

What a fun and productive week! I hope its mitigated your feelings about the SW somewhat; sounds like it might have.

[Tradd]

Sounds like you’re having fun.

[iris lilies]

Well, we have three full days of garden tours and very few Iris are in bloom. What a disappointment! They’ve had a late season this year. I feel bad for all the gardeners who are involved in this national event because they maintained these gardens for 3 full years, postponed because of Covid.

[pinkytoe]

very few Iris are in bloom

When do they normally bloom? Just curious as I have them scattered about my yard from a previous owner and they are just now getting up. Severe drought here though if that matters.

[nswef]

Those poor gardeners. I'm happy you are getting to meet people you like! I do have an iris question...deer. We've never had them eat the iris, but now all the new growth is nipped off. I cannot think of any other critter that might be doing this! They haven't started on the emerging hostas yet. Crocus were the dessert early this month. But the IRIS????

[iris lilies]

When do they normally bloom? Just curious as I have them scattered about my yard from a previous owner and they are just now getting up. Severe drought here though if that matters.

Well, when they bloom depends on species, Iris type, and where you are in the country. Tall bearded iris ( the ones everyone knows) are just finishing in California. They don’t even have buds yet in Minnesota. In St. Louis, prime tall bearded iris bloom time is traditionally Mother’s Day.

Aril Iris and all of their hybrids like very dry weather so that’s why they grow them well in Las Cruces. I managed to get quite a bit of judge’s training in on Arils even tho not much it is in bloom, but it’s still more Arils than I will ever see where I live.