AUBURN — The 53rd annual Maine Iris Society Show will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Auburn Middle School, 38 Falcon Drive. A sale of median iris rhizomes and potted perennials will accompany the show. Admission is free.

Each year irises are displayed by members living from Berwick to Bangor. Entries are judged by officials of the American Iris Society, most of them traveling from Massachusetts to judge. Awards are given for individual stalks, for the best of show and for the member winning the most blue ribbons.

Members who hybridize iris compete for the best seedling; many of the winners later become available to the public at nurseries specializing in iris. Floral arrangements interpreting this year’s theme, “Colorful Songs of the ’60s and ’70s,” will also be judged. There is a separate division for youth members in both the horticulture and the design categories. The public is invited to vote for their favorites in several categories.

Most of the iris society members also grow other kinds of flowers. There will be a display of peonies as well as hosta leaves. Gardener members will be available to answer questions.

The chairman of this year’s show is Peter Young of Buckfield. Pauline Grenier of Minot is the society’s president. Sharon Harvie of Scarborough is chair of the artistic division. Ted White of Minot and Joyce Mitchell of Otisfield will take charge of entries. Alice Lederhouse of Oxford and Marion Hutchinson of Wilton will coordinate the plant sale.

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