Topic: "Two Worlds, One Iris (Unfortunately!)"
We all know the Siberian Iris; Caesar’s Brother, Butter And Sugar and others. What we call Garden Siberians. But few people know these irises have cousins from the Himalayan mountains. What we call Sino-Siberians. In this program, we will discuss the past, present, future and cultural needs of these two very different types of irises.
Speaker Profile: Patrick Spence

Patrick Spence, along with his wife Margaret, own and operate Cascadia Iris Gardens in Lake Stevens, Washington, USA. Cascadia Iris Gardens is a mostly online nursery featuring the genus Iris.
They grow and sell irises of all types, focusing on expanding the growing season to include irises that bloom year-round. Cascadia Iris Gardens has the largest collection of Japanese irises in the U.S., and perhaps in the world outside of Japan. The nursery also boasts ever-expanding collections of spring ephemerals, lilacs, peonies, and other rare and unusual plants.
Patrick is currently president of the Society for Japanese Irises and the Society for Siberian Irises, and he is immediate past president of the King County Iris Society. Patrick is an accredited Iris Judge with the American Iris Society, travelling extensively to train people how to judge irises and present programs to horticultural clubs.
Along with the nursery, Patrick also maintains a day job. In his spare time, he enjoys visiting every nursery he can find, designing and creating leaded and fused glass art, and fishing.
They grow and sell irises of all types, focusing on expanding the growing season to include irises that bloom year-round. Cascadia Iris Gardens has the largest collection of Japanese irises in the U.S., and perhaps in the world outside of Japan. The nursery also boasts ever-expanding collections of spring ephemerals, lilacs, peonies, and other rare and unusual plants.
Patrick is currently president of the Society for Japanese Irises and the Society for Siberian Irises, and he is immediate past president of the King County Iris Society. Patrick is an accredited Iris Judge with the American Iris Society, travelling extensively to train people how to judge irises and present programs to horticultural clubs.
Along with the nursery, Patrick also maintains a day job. In his spare time, he enjoys visiting every nursery he can find, designing and creating leaded and fused glass art, and fishing.

Brought to you by:
Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation
425-357-6010 - Master Gardener Hotline
Email: SNOMGFoundation@yahoo.com
Web site: www.SNOMGF.org
Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation
425-357-6010 - Master Gardener Hotline
Email: SNOMGFoundation@yahoo.com
Web site: www.SNOMGF.org