Join us for a guided visit to Cascadia Iris Gardens, a unique and ever-evolving specialty collection developed by Patrick and Margaret Spence since 2004. What began as a small personal collection of irises has grown into an expansive five-acre property dedicated to the cultivation, hybridization and display of an outstanding collection of Japanese irises—considered among the finest in both quality and diversity—as well as its rare and nationally unparalleled collection of 40-chromosome Sino-Siberian irises.

We’ll explore active growing fields alongside thoughtfully designed display gardens that include a collection of over 50 peony varieties and lilacs. The rich diversity of plant life is designed to support pollinators and local and migratory birds. Additionally, Patrick will share the challenges and rewards of establishing plants in new environments, as the garden’s development included relocating and reestablishing a large collection across properties.

Speakers’ bios:

Patrick and Margaret Spence are the owners of Cascadia Iris Gardens, where they cultivate an ever-expanding series of display beds to demonstrate how irises can be a focal point in any perennial border. Their goal is to showcase how iris can be used to achieve year-round bloom in your garden.

Patrick is a past president of Siberian Iris Society and the Society for Japanese Iris, and current immediate past president of the King County Iris Society. Margaret is a director for the King County Iris Society and the secretary for the Society for Siberian Iris. Both are accredited iris judges through the American Iris Society. They have spoken about irises across the U.S., Canada and New Zealand.