The 2013 ASI Plant Sale is now underway. And for the first time ever, you can browse the catalog and order online. http://www.arilsociety.org/index.pl?2013Catalog If you are not familiar with them, arils are a branch of the Iris family. They are bearded irises from arid regions of Asia (mostly SW Asia through Central Asia). Arils hybridize readily with European bearded irises, resulting in arilbreds. Arilbreds have the exotic beauty of aril irises in an easier to grow plant. In this year's plant sale there are a wide variety of arilbreds available... as well as onco hybrids & regelia hybrids.... and even pure aril species. Have a quick flick through the thumbnails & I bet something will catch your eye. If you are intimidated by growing pure arils then try arilbreds. Some of them, like 'Tekoah' or 'Sand Dancer' are verrrrry exotic looking, yet easy to grow. In general the quarterbreds (RB-, OGB-, OB-) are easiest to grow. Halfbreds (RB, OGB, OB) are also easy. And then three-quarterbreds (RB+, OGB+, OB+) might need some special culture, as do the pure arils if you're living in a not-so-arid climate. Contact me off-list if you have any questions. We'd love to have some new members! I used to grow regelia species in my garden in Ohio, and at present we have members in Michigan and Kansas growing oncocyclus species in their gardens (outdoors, year round!). And then there's John Lonsdale in Pennsylvania who can grow just about everything. :-) Dennis in Cincinnati