CAPE MAN CULTIVATES BETTER IRIS

In O.D. Niswonger's backyard, tiny iris seedlings have poked up through the dirt. It will be two years before Niswonger can tell what those seedlings will produce, But he's patient.

Niswonger knows that sometimes a little patience pays off in a better iris. In the 45 years he has been breeding irises, Niswonger has developed about 200 new introductions. This year, he is introducing 19.

Niswonger, who lives in Cape Girardeau, is also completing his third term as president of the American Iris Society, an organization with 8,000 members in the United States and Canada.

Members have a variety of interests related to irises. For Niswonger, raising irises combines gardening with genetics. He is known as a hybridizer, one who uses genetics to make changes in the characteristics of irises.

"The iris is know as the rainbow flower, and we can change the colors," he said.

Niswonger has been working to perfect an orange iris. This year he is introducing a new variation called Orange Dreams.

"Members have different interests," Niswonger said. "Most like the tall bearded iris, but others like beardless iris."

Some species of iris is native to most countries in the world, and 300 species exist.

Those interested in irises can take a look at some of this year's best this weekend at West Park Mall. The SEMO Iris Society continues its annual show today.

During La Fete Francaise, a French heritage festival scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, Niswonger will present a slide lecture on the history of the Fleur de Lys. This beardless iris is the symbol of French Royalty.

Niswonger has collected legends surrounding the Fleur de Lys, which dates back nearly 1,500 years.

A former hospital administrator, Niswonger said growing irises fit his job. The bulbs could stay in the ground through the winter, so he didn't have to dig them up each fall.

And spending time outside in the garden turned out to be a great stress reliever.

Now that he's retired, Niswonger has more time to devote to his irises.

"I have always been interested in genetics and developing new plants," he explained.

In his garden, iris are carefully labeled and dated to track lineage. Out of 100 new seedlings, Niswonger might pick just a few to continue developing. "You are looking for an improvement," he explained. "You want a better color, more lace or a better flower."

When the iris is better, others take notice. Niswonger has won the top award for irises twice. He has also won the Hybridizer's Medal for his work in developing new colors. And he won the Gold Medal for achievement in horticulture from the Men's Garden Clubs.

While the awards are nice, Niswonger said the satisfaction of growing a better iris is better.

Niswonger said his new Halos N Cream iris offers something a little different. The top petals, called the standards, are apricot colored. The falls, which hang down, are white with a bit of apricot color on the edges.

Quite an accomplishment, Niswonger said, considering this new introduction is about 30 generations removed from the original species.

"Isn't it beautiful?" he asked.