Sharon McAllister's Cyberspace Iris Garden

Where the Arils and Arilbreds Are Always in Bloom

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Updated 05/17/02

Cultivar Lists

Hybridizing

Library

Photo Gallery

What's New 

Welcome! 

No sales pitch.  No links to request a catalog (we haven't had one since 1996).  Just information about these special iris -- and pictures -- lots of pictures.  [Click on any thumbnail to see a larger version].

My name is Sharon McAllister.  If you read iris society publications, like those of AIS, ASI, HIPS, and SIGNA, you probably recognize my byline.  If you're familiar with arilbreds, you've undoubtedly seen some of my introductions.  This site has some technical sections and some pages about my own programs but, overall, it is dedicated to all aril and arilbred iris, not just my own creations.  

If this is your first visit, the rest of this page will give you a brief overview of the site and help you find your way around.  Curious about the pictures on this page?  Check the Key

images/gatesii1.jpg (196859 bytes) Cultivar Lists  These certainly do not include every cultivar, only the ones that have caught my attention as a hybridizer.   Entries include more detailed descriptions than most catalogs offer and many have photos. There are stories about the origin of some of the names, and hybridizing tips for ones I've used in breeding.  For comprehensive information on other cultivars, consult one of the official checklists.

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Hybridizing  For over 25 years, my primary interest in the iris world has been hybridizing arils and arilbreds. The time has come to share what I've learned with the next generation of hybridizers. This section will continue to grow and I expect this web site to come very close to replicating my master notebook, with everything from my long-term plans, through detailed descriptions of individual programs, to breeding and photographic records.

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Library  This is the reference area. Want to find out the modern equivalent of an archaic species name? It's here. Want to know more about the descendants of a special progenitor? I'm uploading the entire book I've compiled.  You'll also find annotated bibliographies if you want more technical details from conventionally published books, bulletins, and newsletters. 

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Photo Gallery  Pictures can't do justice to these exotic beauties, of course, but they do help to show why hybridizers have been working for decades to put these spectacular flowers on gardenable plants. Special collections are housed here, such as quizzes I've used when presenting programs down through the years, and Sibling Sheets with photos of both parents and a selection of representative offspring. 

As you explore the site, watch for some special symbols:

Completed Section. Whether it's a set of hybridizing records, a reference list, or a program plan, this symbol says it is essentially complete. More clickable links may be added, but the basic information is here.

A section still being assembled.  Some finished files have been uploaded, but there are more to come.  If you print one of these for reference you'll get only a portion of the planned material, so do come back and check for new pages.

A workspace where I organize and analyze records.  Some are already rather large, but I don't expect any to ever be truly "finished".  In any workspace, existing pages will be expanded and new pages will be added to accommodate more data.  

A section whose design is still changing as I find better ways to organize and present the material.  Not only will new pages appear and existing ones be expanded, but sometimes old pages will be taken apart and reassembled in completely new ways.  This is especially true of pages with photos.

I hope you'll enjoy browsing around the place and invite you to come back often to see what's new. If you have questions, or special requests regarding updates to various sections, please write

Sharon McAllister

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© 1998-2002 by Sharon McAllister