From a club founded by two people in 1965 to dozens of current members, the Tucson Area Iris Society is encouraging residents to try these historic plants in local gardens.
Local growers say irises and their brilliant flowers are relatively drought tolerant and pest-free, compared to other non-native decorative plants that people try to grow in this region.
On Saturday September 13, the society will hold an annual event where attendants can receive free rhizomes or buy them, so people can grow their own irises at home.
The event will be held at Harlow Gardens Nursery in Tucson from 9 am to noon.
Society members will cover various topics such as planting, propagating, and watering.
Earlier this year, the society held a show with the Tucson Rose Society whose members are also avid gardeners and enjoy growing attractive flowers in this region.
