The 2013 winner of the award for best Louisiana Iris is "James Faith."
This medal is
restricted to Louisiana (LA) irises. It is named in honor of Mary Swords
DeBaillon (1888-1940).
Clarence Mahan writes that "Mary DeBaillon
amassed the largest collection of Louisiana irises in the world. She was
tireless in promoting these irises as good garden plants and in encouraging any
who would listen to grow them. She gained considerable fame as a naturalist and
native plant collector. She encouraged collection of the indigenous iris
species to save them as civilization encroached on the swamps and bayous. A
year after her death the iris enthusiasts in Lafayette organized an iris
society and named it the Mary Swords DeBaillon Iris Society. This society
became the Louisiana Iris Society in 1948."
The highest award an
LA could receive from 1948 until 1985 was the Mary Swords DeBaillon Award.
During that period, SLI was an independent unit with no affiliation whatsoever
with the American Iris Society (AIS). SLI became a Cooperating Organization of
AIS in 1986. After that date the AWARD was discontinued and replaced with the
Mary Swords DeBallion MEDAL, the highest award exclusively for Louisiana Iris.
The MEDAL is a part of the AIS award system. All AIS medalists, including the
the Debaillon medalist, are eligible for the Dykes Medal, the highest award
presented by AIS.
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| "James Faith" Photo credit M.D. Faith |
Here is the description from the AIS wiki: 'James Faith' (M.D.Faith, R. 2000). Sdlg. S54A. LA, 42" (107 cm),
M. S. blue purple, lightly ruffled; style arms blue, reddish cast; F. darker
blue purple, large golden yellow signal edged creamy white. 'Bayou Dawn' X
unknown. Faith 2002.Debaillon Medal 2013.
M.D. Faith says that "this iris is vigorous in growth and very rewarding in the
garden."
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| "James Faith" clump Photo credit M.D. Faith |
To learn more about Louisiana Irises, please visit the Society for Louisiana Irises website.
