2008 Iris Dig & Sale

IRIS dig and sale and silent auction fundraiser

We have enjoyed the Iris, let them grow and hopefully multiply. Now our job begins to prepare them for their new homes. Join us for the Iris dig at the University of Minnesota landscape arboretum Iris beds. We start at 7:30 and all volunteers will be treated to a breakfast of sweet treats and juice along with water and soft drinks. Lunch will also be available for our volunteers. All digging, cleaning and writing equipment will be provided, however if you have a favorite potato fork, pair of scissors, knife, scrub brush or permanent marker, you are welcome to bring it or them with you to the dig.

All ISM members are invited to help with this fundraiser, both at the dig and the sale (including sale setup). If you have never been a part of the Iris dig, join us at the U of M Arboretum to find out how much abuse the rhizomes have to put up with to prepare for their move to new homes. Also this will be your chance to glean information from some of the most knowledgeable Iris growers in the state of MN.

The sale this year will include rhizomes from local growers in addition to iris dug at the arboretum, including Holly Lane Gardens, Summer Chase Gardens, Aspen Iris Gardens of Wally Doehne, and the Tim and Gerry Moore gardens. A list of many of the rhizomes available for the sale will be published on the ISM website so keep coming back for an update.

We would welcome any and all rhizomes including Tall bearded, Median, or Siberian iris from other local gardens or gardeners as well. If possible, bring them marked, clean and ready for sale.

Again the Iris dig is scheduled at the U of M Arboretum for Saturday Aug. 1, 2009. Setup for the sale is scheduled for Friday afternoon August 7th. The Iris sale is scheduled for 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday at Bachman’s on Lyndale. Sunday, Aug. 9 we will have a pot luck and live auction at Holly Lane Gardens in Osseo. If you didn’t make it to the sale on the 8th, the ISM will hold another sale at the U of M Arboretum Aug. 15 and 16th.

Any questions, please contact John or Barbara Sautner by phone (952-884-8254) or e-mail (bjstaxservice@aol.com).  We are looking forward to seeing you there.

John Sautner