Montana Woman Catches “Iris Virus”

2024 - Volume #48, Issue #1, Page #21

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Muriel Zahm says she caught the “iris virus” more than 50 years ago, and she’s been infected with it ever since.
“‘Iris virus’ is very catchy, and it’s transferrable,” says 81-year-old Zahm, the Iris Lady of Laurel, Mont. The only treatment for the iris virus, she says, is more irises. Today, she raises and sells between 800 and 1,000 varieties of primarily tall, bearded iris rhizomes. (A rhizome is the root stalk that produces the shoot and root system of the new plant.)
Zahm’s love of irises began when she ordered what she hoped would be a pink iris. The pink turned out to be a “washed-out peach,” but she soon discovered the Billings (Montana) Big Sky Iris Club, and willing club members helped her locate a perfect pink iris.
Today, people of all ages and origins visit Zahm’s garden during the late May to mid-June bloom season. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., visitors generally find Zahm working among her iris plants, pulling weeds, pinching wilted blossoms, or updating name tags. Visitors report that the names roll off her tongue from memory: Honk Your Horn, Navajo Blanket, Vigilante, Starwoman, King Tush, In the Buff, Velvet Elvis, Dracula’s Kiss.
More than 1,000 varieties are pictured individually, in full color, on her website. Zahm’s irises can be purchased on-site during the growing season and at farmers markets. In July Zahm and her helpers divide plants and fill and ship orders.
One of Zahm’s customers bought his first iris from Zahm in the 1990’s and, over the years, clearly became infected with the iris virus. Delane Langton’s garden today contains more than 6,000 varieties of iris, and he continues to create hybrids.
Zahm’s irises will gain national notoriety in 2025 when the Big Sky Iris Club hosts the American Iris Society annual national conference June 3-7. Zahm’s and Langton’s iris gardens are featured tour destinations on the convention’s tour schedule.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Muriel Zahm, 1525 E. Maryland Ln., Laurel, Mont. 59044 (ph 406-628-3048; https://muriels.irisgarden.us/index.php/).

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Montana Woman Catches “Iris Virus” FARM HOME Miscellaneous Muriel Zahm says she caught the “iris virus” more than 50 years ago and she’s been infected with it ever since “‘Iris virus’ is very catchy and it’s transferrable ” says 81-year-old Zahm the Iris Lady of Laurel Mont The only treatment for the iris virus she says is more irises Today she raises and sells between 800 and 1 000 varieties of primarily tall bearded iris rhizomes A rhizome is the root stalk that produces the shoot and root system of the new plant Zahm’s love of irises began when she ordered what she hoped would be a pink iris The pink turned out to be a “washed-out peach ” but she soon discovered the Billings Montana Big Sky Iris Club and willing club members helped her locate a perfect pink iris Today people of all ages and origins visit Zahm’s garden during the late May to mid-June bloom season From 9 a m to 7 p m visitors generally find Zahm working among her iris plants pulling weeds pinching wilted blossoms or updating name tags Visitors report that the names roll off her tongue from memory: Honk Your Horn Navajo Blanket Vigilante Starwoman King Tush In the Buff Velvet Elvis Dracula’s Kiss More than 1 000 varieties are pictured individually in full color on her website Zahm’s irises can be purchased on-site during the growing season and at farmers markets In July Zahm and her helpers divide plants and fill and ship orders One of Zahm’s customers bought his first iris from Zahm in the 1990’s and over the years clearly became infected with the iris virus Delane Langton’s garden today contains more than 6 000 varieties of iris and he continues to create hybrids Zahm’s irises will gain national notoriety in 2025 when the Big Sky Iris Club hosts the American Iris Society annual national conference June 3-7 Zahm’s and Langton’s iris gardens are featured tour destinations on the convention’s tour schedule Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Muriel Zahm 1525 E Maryland Ln Laurel Mont 59044 ph 406-628-3048; https://muriels irisgarden us/index php/

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