Greater New Orleans Iris Society, Dedicated to the Louisiana Iris

Dedicated to the Louisiana Iris

Benny Trahan, Sr.

1943-2021

Charter GNOIS member Benny Trahan, Sr., passed away on December 15, 2021. He was a good friend and an important figure in the Louisiana iris world, notably for the collection and preservation of wild forms of the species.

Benny shared his experiences in two fascinating and highly recommended articles that are available online.

"Wild Louisianas: Still Out There, Still Beautiful, and More Endangered Than Ever"

"The Find of a Lifetime"

2022 GNOIS Calendar

Sat., September 17 9:30-11:30 AM

General Membership Meeting!

Iris Swap and Guest Speaker

East Bank Regional Library, Metairie

Program TBD

Sat., October 15

Fall Rhizome Sale

Longue Vue

Time TBA

Sat., December 3

9:30 - 11:30 AM

ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

East Bank Regional Library, Metairie

Volunteer days on the island will be scheduled. Watch this site, your email, and Facebook. We can use a few hours help. Always free irises for volunteers!

All events subject to conditions with COVID at the time

VOLS NEEDED

We need help at our iris nursery!

We are asking our members and friends to give us a hand for a few hours on Thursdays between 9:00 - 11:00 AM. The may be some special Saturday volunteer days from time to time.

There will be tasks at various levels and including some in the shade. There is always weeding to do, but we also will be dividing and labeling pots of irises and propagating new plants from old rhizomes.

Everyone who helps will get a free Louisiana iris rhizome!

Please bring gloves.

Click here for directions

TAKE A LOOK

New article by Charles Perilloux on the Louisiana Iris Species Preservation Project

Click the flag to download the pdf file (with lots of beautiful pictures)

GNOIS members are automatically "emembers" of the Society for Louisiana Irises and are provided access to an electronic version of the SLI quarterly journal Fleur de Lis. Members will receive an email each quarter when a new issue is available for download. Make sure that your GNOIS membership is up-to-date. To join or renew for 2020, click the Membership link above.

Spring bloom great, but virus hampered events

The Sculpture Garden and the N.O. Botanical Garden were closed. The irises blooming in the wild were still accessible at places like the Town of Jean Lafitte's Boardwalk, the Northlake Nature Center, and many other spots.

The GNOIS planting in City Park, a working space, was gorgeous. Pictures from the season are frequently posted on Facebook. Follow the GNOIS page to see them and for timely information on activities and other information.

Our spring iris sale was cancelled due to the virus, but plans are being made to hold the sale soon.

Look for details here and on Facebook.

GNOIS planting in City Park

Ron Betzer's 'Dark Dude', winner of 2020 Mary Swords Debaillon Medal

Many more pictures from the 2020 bloom are posted on the GNOIS Facebook page.

Speaker Focuses On New Orleans' Real Relationship With Water

Urban designer and educator Aron Chang talks to GNOIS membership about levees, subsidence, and the importance of dealing realistically with the inevitability of water.

Coming soon