Horton Iris Garden prepares for spring bloom in Loomis

As winter storms give way to spring sunshine, Horton Iris Garden is preparing to welcome visitors to its 28th season of colorful blooms starting in late March, offering families a peaceful escape to explore more than 1,300 varieties of irises across its countryside farm. The seven-acre garden at 7440 King Road will host a special preseason weekend March 28-29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring over 500 potted iris varieties available for immediate planting, including dwarf iris already in bloom. Regular spring hours begin April 3 and run through May 31, open Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including Easter and Mother's Day weekends. Visitors can browse blooming irises, purchase potted plants to take home or order bareroot rhizomes for August pickup, with shipping available for distant customers. The farm also offers u-pick iris stems at $3 each during peak bloom and plans additional seasonal activities including fall flower picking starting in late August and an autumn pumpkin patch. Online ordering for August delivery is open through July 20 at hortonirisgarden.com, with three ordering options including email, phone and mail-in forms. The garden's Facebook page organizes iris varieties by color to help customers plan their selections before visiting.