In Montclair, NJ there is a jewel of a garden, Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. The garden was established in 1927 to honor Frank H. Presby of Montclair, a leading horticulturalist and a founder of The American Iris Society. It is a living museum, listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Sites, that offers a spectacular display of thousands of iris varieties to visitors from all over the world. Alert — the Irises are blooming now!

A must visit is The Bloom Room, the Presby Garden is a packed with unusual, often practical and always interesting gifts in it’s petite space.

This year the American Iris Society, Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, and Essex County New Jersey are hosting The American Iris Society’s National Convention May 23 to May 28, 2016. Two beds of new hybrids were planted 2 years ago in anticipation of the rhizomes blooming this year, which they are.

The life span of an iris bloom is brief, days usually. So, plan your visit soon.