CHICAGO MAN TENDS TREASURED IRISES IN GARDEN AT RANDLES

A new speckled variety batik iris grows in Matthews Iris Garden at Randles.

It happens every summer -- Charles Pickett packs his bags in the big city and heads for Randles.

Pickett, who lives in Chicago, takes four weeks of vacation during May to return to the Matthews Iris Garden near Randles.

The garden, almost an acre-and-a-half plot of more than 1,000 named varieties of the popular flower, is along Route P in Randles, a small community about five miles south of Delta.

"I've been working in this garden more than 50 years," said Pickett, who as a youngster helped establish it. "I love the irises, and the colors they provide are great."

May is the month for spectacular colors in iris gardens throughout the area.

"It is a short season, but it's worth it," said Pickett. "I love the flowers. They are a lot of fun. It's exciting to put out new ones and watch them bloom."

People from a wide area visit the Matthews Iris Garden.

"We've had people driving back since Saturday," said Pickett, who advertised in the Southeast Missourian that thousands of blossoms were in bloom.

"We've had a strange spring," said Pickett. "With the cool weather the blossoms have been delayed, but they should be at full peak this week."

As a youngster, Pickett gave his grandmother, the late Anna Matthews, a box of iris bulbs, which he helped plant in the family's backyard at Randles. The irises grew and multiplied.

"The garden is open for strolls by visitors," said Pickett.

Pickett and Floyd Stroder carry on the early tradition of raising the flowers.

"I add a few new irises each year," said Pickett. "I've been collecting and adding to the garden several years."

The annual exodus south is a "real vacation for me," said Pickett, who works in the reservation department of United Airlines in Chicago. "I could visit any number of exotic places, but I prefer to come here."

Pickett said that he will retire to the Matthews Iris Garden.

Thousands of blue, white, yellow, brown, orange and blooms of other colors can be found in iris gardens this week.

One of the colorful gardens with a variety of irises is that of O.D. Niswonger at 822 Rodney Vista Blvd.

Niswonger, president of the American Iris Society, has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, sharing his vast knowledge gained through more than 50 years of hybridizing irises and other plants.

There are more than 300 species of irises, said Niswonger. "You have the bearded variety, the beardless variety, tall irises, and miniature irises."

Niswonger has experimented with most varieties. New varieties are created every year, he said.

"People register their new varieties," he said. "There are probably more than 100,000 names now."

Nada Nagels, who has raised irises for more than 30 years, received some of her irises from Niswonger. The flower garden is eye-catching.

"We have some poppies growing in our yard, too," said Nagel. The bright reds of the poppies, along with the orange reds, oranges and browns of the irises make for an eye-catching scene at 1926 N. Kingshighway.

Nagels' daughter Jane Nagels helps make the garden grow.

"We should have a full blast of blooms this week," said Nagel.

Niswonger agreed that the irises should be in full bloom this week.

The cool nights have slowed them some, but they'll be beautiful throughout this week, said Niswonger.

Niswonger is looking forward to the weekend and a special iris show at West Park Mall.

The Southeast Missouri Iris Society sponsors the show, which will be held from Saturday noon through Sunday.

Working with plants, although a hobby, is almost a second career for Niswonger, who is noted worldwide as an iris expert.

Niswonger has won the American Iris Society's top award for best new iris two times and has received countless other awards for his achievements with irises and other plants.

Since making his first iris crosses in the early 1950s, Niswonger has introduced many new irises. His first iris introduction was in 1967. The plant was called sapphire fuzz.

A hybridizer, Niswonger said, is "either going to improve on a present color or work on development of a new color pattern that has never been grown before."

Niswonger ships irises around the world from his operation, called Cape Iris Gardens, and likewise, he receives irises from plant experts based in the far corners of the globe.

Niswonger will present an iris lecture -- "The Fleur de Lis" -- during the La 'Fete Francaise Celebration, a French Heritage Festival. The celebration starts in St. Louis May 24, moves to Ste. Genevieve May 26, and winds up here May 26.

"The French emblem, Fluer de Lis is an iris," said Niswonger.

The Fluer de Lis line the canals in France, said Niswonger. "They're mostly white, cream or ivory in color, and they're also blooming this month."