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.

Eric Nies Medal 2018

The American Iris Society

Announces

The Eric Nies Medal 2018

‘Lemon Chiffon Pie’

'Lemon Chiffon Pie'--image by Jan Lauritzen

'Lemon Chiffon Pie' (Anna and David Cadd, R. 2006). Creamy yellow self; large gold signal blending to cream; ruffled. 'Media Luz' X 'Candle Lace'. Cadd's Beehive 2006. Honorable Mention 2010; Award of Merit 2014.

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 http://irises.org/About_Irises/Awards_Surveys/AIS_Awards.html, the AIS Encyclopedia and later in the AIS Bulletin, IRISES. Pictures can be found at http://wiki.irises.org/Main/InfoAwards2018.

2013 Eric Nies Award: Spuria Iris 'Missouri Orchid'

By Andi Rivarola

It is with much pleasure that I present to you the winner of the 2013 Eric Nies Medal: 'Missouri Orchid' by Dave Niswonger. Congratulations to Mr. Niswonger on winning yet another award for his outstanding work. 

I can't wait to see this Spuria iris in person. With its many tones of pink, red, burgundy and fuschia, I think it will become a very popular iris for many. Keep in mind that Spuria colors many times changes according to soil condition and climate, so there will variations in the garden we would surely appreciate. Other characteristics, such as form, signal size, with of standard and falls, all of these should remain the same.

Photo by Dave Niswonger

Spuria irises are tall (2 to 5 feet in height) and elegant, and have very attractive foliage. The shape of the bloom often suggests orchids and the colors range from white and yellow through blue, wine and brown, often with bright yellow signals. This horticultural class is equivalent to the botanical Series Spuriae. The highest award is the Eric Nies Medal.

Description from the Iris Wiki (http://wiki.irises.org):

'Missouri Orchid' (O. David Niswonger, R. 2006) Sdlg. Sp 9-99. SPU, 38" (97 cm), Medium Lavender self, Falls with a hint of pink, yellow signal spreading to buff. 'Missouri Dreamland' X unknown, probably 'Rivulets Of Pink'. Cape Iris 2006. Honorable Mention 2009; Award of Merit 2011; Eric Nies Medal 2013.

For more information on Spuria irises, please visit the Spuria Iris Society.