Award WinnersListed below are some of the award-winning irises as judged by the American Iris Society. AIS has a multi-tiered awards system, some of which is described below. In addition, a popularity poll of all old and new tall bearded irises is published by AIS each year, and many of the sections conduct their own popularity polls on their interests as well.The British Iris Society publishes a Year Book and newsletters, along with awarding its own Dykes medal. Another prize of note is the international Premio Firenze, awarded each year in Florence. Other countries with organizations include Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, France, Italy, South Africa, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. The Dykes Medal is the overall top award, given to a single iris at most each year. (Since tall bearded irises have been the most popular, they have dominated this award.) Looking at Dykes medal winners over the years is a good way to learn about the history of modern hybridizing. Other medals have been established for each classification of irises (Tall Bearded, Intermediate Bearded, Siberian, Spuria, etc.). These are given to the top irises from the classification each year. Some of these medals have been awarded for many years, and the list below includes only recent years for them. In other cases, the medal was established at the medal level for the first time in 1993. A number of proven irises in each class earn the Award of Merit each year. The recent ones of these in each classification represent excellent recommendations for the gardener who wishes to try growing that type of iris. Complete information on these and other awards is available in AIS publications.
American Dykes Medal WinnersYear Variety Name Hybridizer, Year 1927 San Francisco Mohr,1927 1929 Dauntless Connell,1929 1932 Rameses H. Sass,1928 1933 Coralie Ayres,1932 1935 Sierra Blue Essig,1932 1936 Mary Geddes Stahlmann,1931 1937 Missouri Grinter,1933 1938 Copper Lustre Kirkland,1934 1939 Rosy Wings Gage,1935 1940 Wabash Williamson,1936 1941 The Red Douglass J. Sass,1937 1942 Great Lakes Cousins,1938 1943 Prairie Sunset H. Sass,1939 1944 Spun Gold Glutzbeck,1940 1945 Elmohr Loomis,1942 1947 Chivalry Wills,1943 1948 Ola Kala J. Sass,1942 1950 Blue Rhythm Whiting,1945 1951 Cherie Hall,1945 1952 Argus Pheasant DeForest,1947 1953 Truly Yours Fay,1949 1954 Mary Randall Fay,1950 1955 Sable Night P. Cook,1950 1956 First Violet DeForest,1951 1957 Violet Harmony Lowry,1948 1958 Blue Sapphire B. Schreiner,1953 1959 Swan Ballet Muhlestein,1953 1961 Eleanor's Pride Watkins,1952 1962 Whole Cloth P. Cook,1956 1963 Amethyst Flame R. Schreiner,1957 1964 Allegiance P. Cook,1957 1965 Pacific Panorama Sexton,1960 1966 Rippling Waters Fay,1961 1967 Winter Olympics O. Brown,1961 1968 Stepping Out Schreiners,1964 1970 Skywatch Benson,1963 1971 Debby Rairdon Kuntz,1964 1972 Babbling Brook Keppel,1965 1973 New Moon Sexton,1968 1974 Shipshape Babson,1969 1975 Pink Taffeta Rudolph,1965 1976 Kilt Lilt Gibson,1969 1977 Dream Lover E. Tams,1970 1978 Bride's Halo H. Mohr,1971 1979 Mary Frances Gaulter,1971 1980 Mystique Ghio,1972 1981 Brown Lasso Buckles-Niswonger,1972 1982 Vanity Hager,1974 1983 Ruffled Ballet Roderick,1973 1984 Victoria Falls Schreiner,1977 1985 Beverly Sills Hager,1978 1986 Song of Norway Luihn,1977 1988 Titan's Glory Schreiner,1981 1990 Jesse's Song Williamson,1979 1991 Everything Plus Niswonger,1983 1992 Dusky Challenger Schreiner,1986 1993 Edith Wolford Hager,1984 1994 Silverado Schreiner,1986 1995 Honky Tonk Blues Schreiner,1988 1996 Before the Storm Innerst,1988 1997 Thornbird Byers,1988 1998 Conjuration Byers,1988 1999 Hello Darkness Schreiner,1992 2000 Stairway to Heaven Lauer, 1993 2001 Yaquina Blue Schreiner, 1992 2002 Mesmerizer Byers 2003 Celebration Song Schreiner 2004 Crowned Heads Keppel 2005 Splashacata Tasco 2006 Sea Power Keppel 2007 Queen's Circle Kerr 2008 Starwoman M. Smith 2009 Golden Panther Tasco 2010 Paul Black T. Johnson 2011 Drama Queen Keppel John C. Wister Medal (Tall Bearded Irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1993 Silverado Schreiners 1994 Honky Tonk Blues Schreiners 1995 Before the Storm Innerst 1996 Thornbird M. Byers 1997 Acoma Magee 1998 Hello Darkness Schreiners 1998 Conjuration M. Byers 1998 Yaquina Blue Schreiners 1999 Boogie Woogie Nichols 1999 Stairway to Heaven Lauer 1999 Rhonda Fleming Mullin 2000 Mesmerizer M. Byers 2000 Celebration Song Schreiner's 2000 Clarence Zurbrigg 2001 Fancy Woman Keppel 2001 Pond Lily E. Jones 2001 Spirit World Keppel 2002 Local Color Byers 2002 Jurassic Park Lauer 2002 Gypsy Romance Schreiner 2003 Crowned Heads Keppel 2003 Diabolique Schreiner 2003 Tom Johnson Black 2004 Splashacata Tasco 2004 World Premier Schreiner 2004 Poem of Ecstasy Hager 2005 Sea Power Keppel 2005 Fogbound Keppel 2005 Uncle Charlie Keppel 2006 Queen's Circle Kerr 2006 Golden Panther Tasco 2006 Happenstance Keppel 2007 Starring Ghio 2007 Ring around Rosie Ernst 2007 Daughter of Stars Spoon 2008 Millennium Falcon Kasperek 2008 Hollywood Nights Duncan 2008 Heartstring Strummer B. Johnson 2009 Paul Black T. Johnson 2009 Drama Queen Keppel 2009 Italian Ice A.&D. Cadd 2009 Slovak Prince Mego 2010 Decadence Blyth 2010 Wintry Sky Keppel 2010 Crackling Caldera Aitken 2011 Florentine Silk Keppel 2011 That's All Folks Maryott by Ghio 2011 Tour de France Keppel Knowlton Medal (Border Bearded Irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1991 Shenanigan Keppel 1992 Batik A. Ensminger 1993 Zinc Pink A. Ensminger 1994 Zinger S. Stevens 1995 Calico Cat C. Lankow 1996 Lenora Pearl H. Nichols 1997 Sonja's Selah A. Ensminger 1998 Red Rooster J. Durrance 1999 Petite Ballet K. Keppel 2000 Apricot Frosty K. Keppel 2001 Cranapple Aitken 2002 Baboon Bottom Kasperek 2003 Lemon Up Magee 2004 Orange Pop Lauer 2005 Christiana Baker Kerr 2006 Anaconda Love Kasperek 2007 Go for Bold Black 2008 Teapot Tempest L. Markham 2009 Border Control T. Johnson 2010 Eye Candy Keppel 2011 Fleece as White P. Black Hans and Jacob Sass Medal (Intermediate Bearded Irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1991 Butter Pecan B. Hager 1992 Hot Fudge B. Hager 1993 Maui Moonlight Aitken 1994 Ask Alma C. Lankow 1995 Blue Eyed Blonde A. Ensminger 1996 Lemon Pop L. Lauer 1997 Hot Spice Aitken 1998 Cee Jay C. Lankow 1999 Prince of Burgundy O.D. Niswonger 2000 Dark Waters Aitken 2001 Maui Gold Aitken 2002 Protocol Keppel 2003 Bottled Sunshine H. Nichols 2004 Gnu Rayz Kasperek 2005 Starwoman M. Smith 2006 Midsummer Night's Dream Baumunk 2007 Delirium M. Smith 2008 Ming M. Smith 2009 Devil May Care P. Black 2010 Ruby Slippers Keppel 2011 Garnet Slippers Keppel Cook-Douglas Medal (Standard Dwarf Bearded Irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1991 Chubby Cheeks P. Black 1992 Sun Doll B. Jones 1993 Dark Vader R.&L. Miller 1994 Orange Tiger B. Jones 1995 Serenity Prayer P. Dyer 1996 Pumpin' Iron P. Black 1997 Bedford Lilac B. Jones 1998 Little Showoff E. Hall 1999 Pele T. Aitken 2000 Vavoom Ensminger 2001 Starbaby M. Smith 2002 Little Blue Eyes J. Weiler 2003 Dot Com B. Jones 2004 Minidragon M. Smith 2005 Marksman M. Smith 2006 Ruby Eruption Chapman 2007 Music Keppel 2008 Cat's Eye P. Black 2009 Puddy Tat P. Black 2010 Ultimate T. Johnson 2011 Fires of Fiji P. Black Caparne-Welch Medal (Miniature Dwarf Bearded Irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1991 Puppet Baby C. Boswell 1992 Chubby Cherub Aitken 1993 Sparky Aitken 1994 Funny Face M. Brizendine 1995 Spot of Tea P. Black 1996 Cinnamon Apples P. Black 1997 Grapelet Aitken 1998 Snuggles L. Miller 1999 Tooth Fairy B. Jones 2000 Bugsy B. Hager 2001 Hey There Carol Lankow 2002 Scruples L. Miller 2003 Squiggles L. Miller 2004 Dinky Circus P. Black 2005 Little Drummer Boy A.& D. Willott 2006 African Wine Kasperek 2007 Wise T. Johnson 2008 Yak Attack Kasperek 2009 Tiny Titan Aitken 2010 Chemistry P. Black 2011 Fission Chips Keppel Payne Medal (Japanese Irises)
Year Variety Name Hybridizer
1993 Oriental Eyes A. Vogt
1994 Caprician Butterfly Marx
1995 Cascade Crest J.T. Aitken
1996 [tie]
Edge of Frost Dienstbach
Kalamazoo A. Hazzard
1997 [tie]
Electric Rays J.T. Aitken
Iapetus S. Innerst
1998 Butterflies in Flight T. Aitken
1999 Geisha Obi L. Rich
2000 Bellender Blue A. Hazzard
2001 Picotee Princess Reid
2002 Electric Glow J.T. Aitken
2003 Lion King Bauer/Coble
2003 Raspberry Glow J.T. Aitken
2004 Epimetheus S. Innerst
2005 Blue Spritz D. Delmez
2006 Sing the Blues L. Reid
2007 Dirigo Pink Milestone J. White
2008 Raspberry Candy Bauer/Coble
2009 Little Bow Pink D. Delmez
2010 Sue Jo D. Delmez
2011 Lake Effect Bauer/Coble
Debaillon Medal (Louisiana Irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1991 Rhett M. Dunn 1992 Bajazzo M. Dunn 1993 Frank Chowning H. Rowlan 1994 Jeri N. Bertinot 1995 Kay Nelson M. Granger 1996 Professor Jim Mertzweiller 1997 Voo Doo Magic H. Rowlan 1998 Bayou Mystique M. Dunn 1999 Professor Neil J. Mertzweiller 2000 Cajun Sunrise J. Mertzweiller 2001 Praline Festival Haymon 2002 Extraordinaire M. Dunn 2003 Cajun Sunset M. Granger 2004 Hot and Spicy H. Pryor 2005 Red Velvet Elvis K. Vaughn 2006 Peaches in Wine H. Pryor 2007 My Friend Dick Butler by Faith 2008 Great White Hope Haymon 2009 Henry Rowlan M. D. Faith 2010 Night Thunder R. Morgan 2011 Raspberry Rilla R. Hickerson Williamson-White Medal (Miniature Tall Bearded Irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1993 Bumblebee Deelite J.&D. Norrick 1994 Rosemary's Dream M. Dunderman 1995 Frosted Velvet K. Fisher 1996 Petite Monet K. Steele 1997 Zula K. Fisher 1998 Striped Pants K. Fisher 1999 Pretty Quirky A. Probst 1999 Billie the Brownie J. Burton 2000 Pardner K. Fisher 2001 Bangles L. Miller 2002 Reminiscence C. Mahan 2003 Apricot Drops J.T. Aitken 2004 Merit K. Fisher 2005 Ace L. Miller 2006 Baubles and Beads L. Miller 2007 Madam President H. Thurman 2008 Maslon D. Spoon 2009 Somewhat Quirky R. Probst 2010 Sailor's Dream K. Fisher 2011 Dividing Line C. Bunnell C.G. White Medal (1/2 or more Aril)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1993 Syrian Jewel H. Shockey 1994 Khyber Pass K. Kidd 1995 Persian Padishah H. Shockey 1996 Syrian Princess H. Shockey 1997 Turkish Pendant H. Shockey 1998 Kalifa's Robe B. Hager 1999 Queen Sheba H. Shockey 2000 Sheba's Jewel H. Shockey 2001 Desert Fury H. Shockey 2002 Lancer H. Shockey 2003 Energizer H. Shockey 2004 Chocolate Mint R. Tasco 2005 Concerto Grosso H. Mathes 2006 Omar's Stitchery C. Boswell 2007 Omar's Eye C. Boswell 2008 Byzantine Art L. Baumunk 2009 Spirit of Caleb P. McGrath 2010 Rivers of Babylon L. Baumunk 2011 Hammurabi L. Baumunk William Mohr Medal (1/4 to 1/2 Aril)
Year Variety Name Hybridizer
1993 Jewel of Omar C. Boswell
1994 Omar's Torch C. Boswell
1995 Smoke with Wine C. Boswell
1996 Solomon's Glory H. Nichols
1997 Omar the Tentmaker C. Boswell
1998 [tie]
Bozrah F. Gadd
Prairie Thunder P. Black
1999 Patriot's Gem F. Gadd
2000 Silent Tears L. Peterson
2001 Kalifa's Horn Annand
2002 Omar's Gold C. Boswell
2003 She Devil P. Black
2004 Desert Celebration L. Flanagan
2005 Desert Jubilee L. Flanagan
2006 Walker Ross Ross by Chapman
2007 Hakuna Matata A.&D. Cadd
2008 Shabaza G. Sutton
2009 Sue Bee Kammer by Stanek
2010 Ulalena G. Sutton
2011 Persian Sapphire L. Baumunk
Nies Medal (Spuria)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 1993 Betty Cooper E. McCown 1994 Son of Sun Wickenkamp 1995 Cinnamon Stick O.D. Niswonger 1996 Chocolate Fudge O.D. Niswonger 1997 Countess Zeppelin B. Hager 1998 Missouri Rivers O.D. Niswonger 1999 Sultan's Sash O.D. Niswonger 2000 Ila Remembered B. Hager 2001 Missouri Springs O.D. Niswonger 2002 Sunrise in Missouri O.D. Niswonger 2003 Missouri Sunset O.D. Niswonger 2004 Missouri Rainbows O.D. Niswonger 2005 Missouri Iron Ore O.D. Niswonger 2006 Adriatic Blue O.D. Niswonger 2007 Missouri Orange O.D. Niswonger 2008 Elfin Sunshine Jenkins 2009 Missouri Autumn O.D. Niswonger 2010 Missouri Dreamland O.D. Niswonger 2011 Speeding Star A.&D. Cadd Mitchell Medal (Pacific Coast Irises)
Year Variety Name Hybridizer
1993 Mimsey V. Wood
1994 Drive you Wild Ghio
Simply Wild Ghio
1995 Sierra Dell L. Lawyer
1996 Idylwild Ghio
1997 Night Editor Ghio
1998 Pacific Rim B. Jones
1999 Chief Sequoia J. Weiler
2000 Pink Cupid V. Wood
2001 Jean Erickson Rigby
2002 Sea Gal Belardi
2003 Sea Admiral V. Wood
2004 Raspberry Dazzler V. Wood
2005 Sierra Azul J. Ghio
2006 Cozumel J. Ghio
2007 Pacific Miss Belardi
2008 Wine and Cheese V. Wood
2009 Mendocino Blue R.&J. Canning
2010 Wild Survivor W. Plotner
2011 Bar Code J. Ghio
2011 Star of Wonder J. Ghio
Founders of SIGNA Medal (Species irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 2000 Dotted Line L. Reid 2001 Between the Lines Schafer/Sacks 2002 Candystriper Warburton 2003 Marvell Gold J. Waddick 2004 China West Lake J. Waddick 2005 Powder Blue Giant S. Norris 2006 John Wood Wood by Lineberger 2007 Bayou Bandit Weeks by Campbell 2008 Krill J. Copeland 2009 Petit Lion L. Baumunk 2010 Raspberry Slurp R. Butler 2011 Seakrill J. Copeland Randolph-Perry Medal (Interspecies irises)Year Variety Name Hybridizer 2000 Phil Edinger Hager 2001 Holden's Child S. Tiffney 2002 Aquatic Alliance L. Reid 2003 Cascade Velvet J. Halinar 2004 Enfant Prodige T. Huber 2005 Pixie Won J. Copeland 2006 [no award] 2007 Sibtosa Princess Tamberg 2008 Alpha Gnu Kasperek 2009 Dolce P. Black 2010 Ally Oops D. Borglum 2011 Night Mood L. Markham | Awards | Jim's Iris Index | |