About the Author

Claire Austin grew irises and perennials for 20 years while working at her father's company David Austin Roses. In 2001, she and her husband, Ric Kenwood, established Claire Austin Hardy Plants, in Shropshire, England. They continue to grow over 1500 perennials at the nursery and hold the National Collection of bearded irises. Claire has exhibited at many flower shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show, and has been awarded numerous medals and trophies for her exhibits of irises and other perennials. She is a trained illustrator and skillful photographer whose captivating images enhance her catalogues and books.

Reviews

Her many photographs will please devoted irisarians, especially members of iris societes. -- W. George Walters Pacific Horticulture 20060501 The more than 1,100 color photographs, most taken by [Austin], in this book entice even readers with a casual interest in her subject. -- Julienne L. Wood American Reference Books Annual 20060301 The close-up pictures of iris flowers would be invaluable to anyone trying to identify a particular cultivar or species, or for anyone wanting to include irises in a garden design. The book includes sections on all the main species, sections and cultivars, together with chapters on cultivation, pests and diseases, hybridising and growing from seed. -- Sue Tasker Professional Gardener 20060401 As a reference book, Irises should be invaluable to horticulturalists and iris breeders, but even amateur gardeners will enjoy browsing through its pages. -- David Papayanopulos Long Island Horticultural Society Journal 20060401 Page after page of color closeups will enchant both the casual browser and careful collector. There's a wealth of information here. -- Karen Preuss Northwest Garden News 20060501 Few books that call themselves encyclopedias live up to that term. This one does. It is a book for the layperson and is filled with 1,100 color pictures to make your mouth water. ... I defy you to read this book without making an extensive wish list to order from the catalogs in the back. This a real gem from Timber Press. -- Cheryl B. Wilson Daily Hampshire Gazette 20060331 The contents comprise 22 chapters written in good down-to-earth language and profusely illustrated with high-quality photographs covering the genus Iris. Iris Society Yearbook 20051201 An extraordinary work, [Irises] presents an excellent overview of the genus Iris. ... [Austin] provides brief, very readable descriptions of hundreds of irises, and accompanies almost all of the descriptions with excellent photographs of the plant's flower. -- Tom Karwin Monterey County Herald 20060805