Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
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Presby Memorial Iris Gardens (6.5 acres) is a nonprofit, volunteer-run living museum specializing in iris flowers, located 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Montclair in Essex County, New Jersey.
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[edit] Description
The Gardens are in a park-like setting and open to the public without charge. The blooming season is May 14 to June 4. It is the largest non-commercial garden dedicated to iris in the world.
The gardens were established in 1927 to honor Mr. Frank Presby, noted horticulturalist and a founding member of the American Iris Society. Its well-documented collection now includes approximately 10,000 individual plants, representing 6 species and over 2,000 varieties of irises.
Adjacent to the gardens is the Victorian Walthers House that is home to a museum shop, headquarter for the Citizens Committee, and flanked by the Victorian Garden.
[edit] Vandalism
In August of 2005, 157 historic rhizomes were vandalized. One year later, Montclair Police were tipped off to the culprits who were later arrested and sentenced. The three men, minors at the time, had clubbed the plants practicing golf swings, while admittedly intoxicated[1]. In 2008, a theft was attempted on some irises, by removing them and putting them in a plastic bag, but they were recovered.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Philip Read (2006-08-11). Alcohol fueled iris vandals, police say. Star-Ledger.
