2019 The Eric Nies Medal

The American Iris Society

Announces

The Eric Nies Medal 2019

‘Red War Clouds’

'Red War Clouds'--image by Andi Rivarola

'Red War Clouds' ( Lee Walker, R. 2009). Seedling #97-60-1. SPU, 40" (102 cm). Midseason bloom. Standards and falls dark red-maroon; style arms red grey, red tip; signal medium yellow; slight fragrance. 'Zulu Chief' X seedling #93-16-2: ( 'Countess Zeppelin' x 'Pink Candles'). Wildwood 2010. Honorable Mention 2013, Award of Merit 2017.

This medal is restricted to spuria irises. It is named in honor of Eric Nies (1884-1952). Eric Nies was born in Saugatuck, Michigan, but soon after Nies moved to California, he became interested in irises of all types. He obtained his first spuria irises from Jennett Dean, who operated one of the first iris specialist nurseries in the U.S. Spurias were his special interest. His first cross was with I. orientalis with 'Monspur’ He interbred seedlings from this cross, and in the second generation there was a virtual explosion of color: blue, lavender, brown, bronze and cream. During his lifetime, Nies was recognized as the foremost breeder of spuria irises in the world. Marion Walker took over his seedlings and breeding lines after he died in 1952.

The World of Irises blog will be posting once a day all of the medal winners. The entire list of winners can be found at the AIS website, the AIS Encyclopedia and later in the AIS Bulletin, IRISES.