The upcoming meeting of The Garden Club of Newtown will feature a presentation on "Irises in the Garden" by Ruth Bennett, a member of Connecticut Iris Society.American Iris Society Bulletin and for CT Gardener Magazine.thegardenclubofnewtown@yahoo.com. For further information about The Garden Club of Newtown visit gardenclubofnewtown.com or find the club on Facebook.

The program will be held on Tuesday, May 24, at 1 pm, in the lower meeting room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street in Newtown.

Ms Bennett will present an overview of the iris species - both bearded and beardless - with a focus on hardy New England varieties and those that have been hybridized in New England.

She will also discuss the native New England irises and what hybridizers are doing to save them from extinction.

In her presentation Ms Bennett will also cover the best cultural practices for successfully growing irises, in the garden and some of the disease and insect problems specific to irises that may be encountered on the flowering plants and how to effectively deal with these issues.

Ms Bennett, who holds a degree in biology from Lycoming College, is a Master Judge for the American Iris Society and is a well-known speaker at the CT Flower Show and at Federated Garden Clubs of CT meetings around the state.

She has written several articles on irises and their cultivation for the

An ardent proponent of the iris species, Ms Bennett has been growing a wide variety of irises for 30 years in her East Haddam home. She has 250 different named varieties occupying her personal gardens. She is especially interested in the little known iris species and in those that rebloom.

She helps to promote irises that have been hybridized in New England specifically for their hardiness to withstand the difficult and varied climate conditions found throughout the region.

Ms Bennett has also helped establish and maintain the CT Iris Society's nine iris display beds at Elizabeth Park, the noted rose garden in West Hartford.

She serves as treasurer for both Region I of the American Iris Society of New England and the Connecticut Iris Society, which disseminates information about growing irises and fosters appreciation for the species through programs, shows and tours.

The informative program, sure to inspire guests to include more and different iris species in their garden, is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Donations are appreciated.

For additional information on this program call 203-775-7063 or send email to

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