Warren County’s Master Gardeners will be kicking off their 2024 meeting schedule after some winter weather forced rescheduling for this Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. Irises will be the topic of discussion along with a chili cook off.
“Iris 101: Not Your Grandma’s Garden” will be the topic presented by 2023’s American Iris Society Director and Master Gardener Susan Driver. She plans on discussing the various types of bearded and beardless irises, the contributions of hybridizing to iris horticulture, and preserving iris varieties for the future. Providing plenty of pictures, she will also be available to answer general questions on growing irises.
Driver brings much passion and knowledge to the topic. “My mother was the gardener of the family, so I didn’t get into it until the early '90s, when she was no longer able to garden,” she explains. “The extent of my gardening was to plant some annuals and maybe a few tomato plants.”
She began to be a more serious gardener when she bought a house in Colorado Springs that had some roses on the grounds. After joining the local rose society, she met a couple who introduced her to irises. She continued to grow roses until she moved back to McMinnville in 2016.
“Irises became my passion. In Colorado Springs I grew over 250 varieties, and now I try to keep it down to a little over 100,” Driver said.
Driver says irises are very appealing to gardeners. “They are hardy, adaptable to different climates, low maintenance, self-propagating and are excellent companion plants,” said Driver. “They come in pretty much every color and color combination.” She says for those reasons and their wide variety, there is an iris for everyone.
“I have always believed in being actively involved in any organization that I belong to,” said Driver. Since 2004, she has held many positions in local and regional societies both in Colorado and Tennessee. A board of directors member of the American Iris Society since 2019, she coordinates the annual photo contest and publishes a calendar each year with photos from the contest as part of her role of director.
Driver speaks highly of the Warren County Master Gardeners. She has been a member since 2017. “It is a wonderful organization, and I continue to learn more about all types of gardening and to meet many good people from all across the state. We are truly blessed to have the UT Extension Office and many other horticultural resources here in Warren County.”
A chili chook off will also be on the agenda this evening and the presentation is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to (931) 473-8484 if you plan on attending. The meeting will be held in the Magnolia Room at the Admin Building on Locust Street.
