919 ›› PERSONALITY PROFILE
Wilson and Ray: A Passion for Perennials Out of Control Hobby Now a Thriving North Raleigh Iris Operation By STEPHANIE FRIEDL 919 Magazine Writer
Photos Courtesy Rocky Toad Iris Farm
Rocky Toad Road Iris Farm Profile ADDRESS: EMAIL: PHILOSOPHY:
18
919 Magazine NR
1216 Rocky Toad Road (off Falls of Neuse Road) raleigh.irisfarmer@gmail.com ‘Our philosophy is to share something we love in an effort to continue growing what we love to share.’
April | May 2013
Robert Wilson and Randy Ray, proprietors of Rocky Toad Road Iris Farm, invite one and all to “stop and smell the iris.” Affectionately known as “The Iris Guys,” Wilson and Ray became friends in 1977 and have been working in the iris fields ever since the hobby got out of control years ago. “The things are just so absolutely beautiful that the problem has not become selling them, but trying to stop Randy from buying them,” said Wilson. “They are the heartiest of perennials, drought resistant, amazingly beautiful, grow if you drop them on the ground, and double every year.” With hundreds of varieties, Randy grows them faster than people can adopt them, but that doesn’t stop him from pursuing his passion for pollination and all things iris. Customers come from near and far to visit this unique North Raleigh farm to select from the close to 800 varieties of iris and, just as importantly, to enjoy the warmth and humor of the farmers who lovingly tend them. The duo buys new introduction show winners from the big companies in Oregon, grow them for a few years, and hand select those ready for sale under their tent display. Iris shopping is available any day from the drive-up store on the honor system. “Sadly we have faced a few ‘thieves’ in the past, so we ask that customers not enter the areas labeled ‘No Admittance’ which house iris still multiplying and not ready for sale,” said Wilson. “Live” show times are usually every afternoon from about 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Sundays 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. As resident iris experts, Wilson and Ray share their passion with young students at Wakefield Elementary and North Forest Pines Elementary schools as teacher assistants. In addition, they exhibit www.919Magazine.com