2013 Cook-Douglas Medal Winner "Wish Upon a Star"

By Renee Fraser


The AIS is proud to congratulate Paul Black on his Cook-Douglas Medal winning standard dwarf bearded iris, "Wish Upon a Star."

"Wish Upon a Star" Photo credit Stout Gardens at Dancingtree

This medal is restricted to standard dwarf bearded (SDB) irises. It is named in honor of Paul Cook (1891-1963) and Geddes Douglas (1902-1993).  

According to Clarence Mahan on the AIS Awards Page, " Paul Cook's work with dwarf irises was truly pioneering. His early breeding of dwarf irises led to a series of I. arenaria hybrids, the most notable being `Keepsake,' `Tampa,' and `Promise.' He was the first to use the true I. pumila in his breeding programs, and this resulted in the introduction of the first of the great stud irises in the standard dwarf class: 'Baria,' 'Fairy Flax,' and 'Green Spot.'"

"Douglas's historically most important hybridizing achievements were with dwarf irises. Working with stock from Paul Cook, Douglas's crosses of I pumila with tall bearded irises created the race of irises that came to be known as 'lilliputs.'"

The American Iris Society Encyclopedia describes the iris thus:

'Wish Upon A Star' (Paul Black, registered 2006). Seedling L326B. SDB, height 13" (33 cm), early, mid, late season bloom. Standards dark blue-purple blending to dark claret; style arms dark claret; falls dark purple-black, slightly lighter haft and edge; beards pale cream gold, white at end, large; pronounced sweet fragrance. I269A, 'Zap' sibling X 'Neutron'. Mid-America 2006. Honorable Mention 2008, Award of Merit 2010; Cook Douglas Medal 2013.

   
For more information on Miniature Tall Bearded Irises, please visit the Median Iris Society Webpage.