Connie Schreiner Kendall (right) in Schreiner's Iris Gardens, c1960 [Photo: Schreiner Family] May 2 & May 9, 2019 Episodes.
Around this time each year, we begin seeing one of the most gorgeous of spring flowers, the bearded iris, pop up in gardens around the area and in vast fields abutting the shoulders of the Interstate 5 Freeway north of Salem. We learned from our recent guest that the Willamette Valley is one of only seven places in the world with the appropriate climate to grow these royal-looking flowers. Steve Schreiner of Schreiner's Iris Gardens should certainly know this, as his family has been growing and hybridizing irises since 1925--most of those years in the Brooks district just north of Keizer, the Iris Capital of the World!
Around this time each year, we begin seeing one of the most gorgeous of spring flowers, the bearded iris, pop up in gardens around the area and in vast fields abutting the shoulders of the Interstate 5 Freeway north of Salem. We learned from our recent guest that the Willamette Valley is one of only seven places in the world with the appropriate climate to grow these royal-looking flowers. Steve Schreiner of Schreiner's Iris Gardens should certainly know this, as his family has been growing and hybridizing irises since 1925--most of those years in the Brooks district just north of Keizer, the Iris Capital of the World!
| Steve's great-grandfather Martin Schreiner, wife Magdalena, son Francis Xavier (F.X.), and daughter Ann immigrated from Germany in the 1880s. Four hundred years of war had ravaged their mother country and they hoped to start a new life in Minnesota. Steve's grandfather F.X. Schreiner, a naturalized citizen by 1904, married Veronica Haag in 1909, and added three children, Robert, Connie & Bernard (Gus) to the family over the next 10 years. F.X. worked as a buyer/sales manager for the Schueneman & Mannheim Department Store in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1920, F.X. met John Wister, the first president of the new American Iris Society, and his love of for growing irises began. As most of the iris plants came from England and Europe, the field was wide open for American growers. By 1925, they had over 500 varieties growing on their acre plot and decided to sell the plants commercially to fund new plant acquisitions and farm operations. F.X. produced his first price list in 1925, and published his first catalog in 1928. Sadly, F.X. passed away from health issues in 1931, but not before giving his three children some sound advice: get along together and iris growing can be a great family business; find a place with a longer growing season than Minnesota! |  F. X. Schreiner, Minnesota c1928 [Photo: Schreiner Family]  [Photo: Schreiner Family] |
Bernard (Gus) Schreiner, Connie Schreiner Kendall, Robert Schreiner, and Mr. Cayeux, Cayeux Iris Gardens of France, c1960 [Photo: Schreiner Family] Following the dust storms of the 1930s, son Robert Schreiner began looking for the best place to relocate their business. They sent irises to several farmers in various parts of the country. One such willing famer was found in Grants Pass, Oregon, who would go on to foster their irises from 1935-37. By the end of World War II, both Connie and Gus joined the business full-time. The move to Oregon was completed in 1948, establishing their farm on 15 acres off Quinaby Road north of Salem. Their original home is now the company office.
 West Garden at Schreiner's Iris Gardens, 1955 [Photo: Schreiner Family]  Early Employees, Bill Riffle, Jim & Dorothy Stiers, planting iris c1960 [Photo: Schreiner Family]  1960 American Iris Convention at Schreiner's Iris Gardens [Photo: Schreiner Family] |  Schreiner's Iris Gardens, 1955 [Photo: Schreiner Family]  Schreiner's Farm Truck c1960 [Photo: Schreiner Family]  1972 American Iris Convention at Schreiner's Iris Gardens [Photo: Schreiner Family] |
Steve Schreiner is the son of Gus Schreiner, and three of his eight siblings are the third generation operating this family business. Recently, the fourth generation was represented when Ben Schreiner joined the team. As with the three original Schreiner siblings, each team member oversees a different aspect of the business, still getting along as Grandfather Schreiner had admonished.
 Second Generation Leadership: Gus, Connie, Bob Schreiner c 1970 [Photo: Schreiner Family] |  Third Generation Leadership: Liz Schreiner Schmidt, Ray, Steve Schreiner c 2013 [Photo: Schreiner Family] |  Fourth Generation Leadership: Ben Schreiner, Ray, Liz, and Steve c2017 [Photo: Schreiner Family] |
May 1995 Issue - Schreiner Iris Gardens [Photo: Schreiner Family] Schreiner's Iris Gardens has a well-established national reputation, having won numerous awards over the years, and expanded their commercial enterprise internationally. More importantly, they have become an integral part in the life and character of the Brooks/Keizer community. During the May through September bloom season, the Gardens host plein air artists, a Jazz & BBQ event on Memorial Day, unofficial Mother's Day and Father's Day gatherings, and are a frequent garden-tour destination.
Check out their website or phone them at 503-393-3232 to learn more about what's going on out at the Iris Gardens!
Check out their website or phone them at 503-393-3232 to learn more about what's going on out at the Iris Gardens!
The Schreiner's provided us so many beautiful photos that it was hard to select just a few to illustrate their story. So here are a few more for your enjoyment:
  Top left: Painting by Michael Gibbons, Toledo, OR; top right: Patricia Schreiner plein air painting; bottom left: West Garden by Steve Terrill; bottom right: Steve Schreiner & Joey photographing for the catalog. |   |
~~ Posted by Deb Meaghers
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