About GKCIS

Our group of Iris friends was formed on February 4, 1948 to promote interest in the culture, propagation and hybridization of the numerous forms and varieties of our favorite flower, the Iris.

GKCIS has members all across the metropolitan Kansas City area in Kansas, Missouri and into suburban communities in all directions. Meetings are usually held the 2nd Monday evenings of each month from March to November. Our meetings in 2010 will be held at the Trailside Center at 9901 Holmes, Kansas City MO. We also hold special events such as flower shows, tours and training sessions.

GKCIS is a non-profit affiliate of the American Iris Society in Region 18. Over the years, our club hosted the National Convention and a number of Regional Spring and Fall Meetings. Most recently, GKCIS hosted the 2009 AIS National Convention in Overland Park. While here, convention attendees participated in garden tours, meetings, workshops and programs. Over 800 different varieties of iris were sent to GKCIS from hybridizers throughout the world to be grown for the convention as well as over 100 heirloom varieties donated by the Historic Iris Preservation Society.

Many of these plants have found permanent homes in the collections at Powell Gardens, the new Cohen Memorial Iris Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden and at the Lanesfield Historic School Site.

Members are encouraged to attend these conventions where they are able to see and evaluate the newest introductions and seedlings from hybridizers around the world.

Members enjoy building friendships with other iris enthusiasts and are encouraged to increase their knowledge and enjoyment of the iris by participating in educational programs and sharing their experiences and knowledge. We especially encourage youth groups interested in starting community beautification projects to contact us for assistance.

Members are also encouraged to volunteer at Powell Gardens and Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden with the care and maintenance of their iris collections. In addition to the iris varieties found in the perennial gardens, Powell Gardens also has a collection of Award of Merit iris displayed on "Iris Hill" originally created by Dr. Norlan Henderson. GKCIS members lead the volunteer efforts in maintaining this extensive planting and will train visitors and other volunteers on the basics of iris and iris culture.

Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden is home to the Cohen Memorial Iris Garden dedicated in the fall of 2009 which includes plants donated by GKCIS. While the majority are tall bearded iris, there are also many miniature bearded and water loving beardless varieties to enjoy throughout the bloom season as well as discovering compatible annual and perennial companions to enjoy through summer and fall. Volunteer opportunities on Thursday evening and Saturday mornings are available for this garden as well by contacting VolunteerCoordinator@opkansas.org for more information.

Please email KansasCityIris@gmail.com or call 913-406-2709 with your contact information if you have questions about iris, volunteer opportunities, or GKCIS.