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.

2019 Morgan-Wood Medal

Morgan-Wood Medal 2019

The American Iris Society

Announces

The Morgan-Wood Medal 2019

'Paprikash'

This medal is restricted to Siberian irises. It is named in honor of F. Cleveland Morgan (1882-1962) and Ira E. Wood (1903-1977). F. Cleveland Morgan was a pioneer Canadian breeder of Siberian irises and a founding member of AIS. Some of his magnificent cultivars still enhance gardens around the globe. Three of his best known irises are 'Caezar,' 'Caezar's Brother' and ‘Tropic Night’. Ira E. Wood, hybridized Siberian irises, but he introduced only one cultivar 'Ong's Hat.' He also served as a director of AIS and as its second vice president.

'Paprikash'--image by Bryce Williamson

'Paprikash' ( Marty Schafer and Jan Sacks, R. 2012) Seedling S06-91-10A. SIB, 20" (51 cm). Midseason bloom. Standards pale ground with red-violet veins and dappling, yellow at hafts; style arms light apricot, bright red-violet heart; Falls apricot ground, heavily speckled red all over, bright yellow signal with self speckles and veins; slight sweet fragrance. S03-56A-10: ( 'Humors Of Whiskey' x 'Cream Of Tomato' pollen parent) X 'Miss Apple'. Joe Pye Weed 2012. Honorable Mention 2015. Award of Merit 2017.

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.

The Mary Swords DeBaillon Medal 2019

The American Iris Society

Announces

The Mary Swords DeBaillon Medal 2019

'DARK DUDE' (Ron Betzer)

'LEMON ZEST' (Kevin Vaughn)

' MICHIGAN BELLE' (Jill Copeland)'

For the first time, three irises tied for the medal:

'Lemon Zest'--image by Louisiana Iris Farm

'Lemon Zest' ( Kevin Vaughn, R. 1998). Seedling F-32-1. LA, 24-28" (61-71 cm), Very early to early midseason bloom. Standards bright lemon yellow aging to creamy lemon with lemon green veins; style arms electric green; Falls bright lemon yellow, intense electric green signal area; heavily ruffled, lightly serrate. 'Heavenly Glow' X 'Vermilion Queen'. Louisiana Iris Farms 2009. Award of Merit 2015.

'Dark Dude'--imagbe by Ron Betzer

'Dark Dude' (Ron Betzer, R. 2010). Seedling 95-28-1. LA, 34" (86 cm), Midseason late bloom. Standards and style arms near black from the red side. Falls the same overlaid velvety black. Gold dagger signal. Lightly ruffled. ''Bout Midnight' x 'Margaret Lee'. Plantation Point 2010. Award of Merit 2015.

'Michigan Belle'--image by Ensata Gardens

'Michigan Belle' ( Jill Copeland, R. 2007). Seedling 5-K. LA, 30" (76 cm), Midseason bloom. Standards rosy violet (RHS 70B); style arms red violet (184B); Falls rosy purple (70A) to rosy violet (78A), back yellow (8A), 1/2" rosy red violet (184B) edge, signal bright yellow (9A) spray pattern. 'Jack Attack' X 'Plantation Belle'. Ensata 2007. Honorable Mention 2012. Award of Merit 2015.

This medal is restricted to Louisiana (LA) irises. It is named in honor of Mary Swords DeBaillon (1888-1940). When Mary DeBaillon realized how varied Louisiana irises were and what lovely garden plants they were, she 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.

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.

2019 Sydney B. Mitchell Medal

The American Iris Society

Announces

The Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2019

‘Da Vinci Code’

'Da Vinci Code'--image by Leonine Iris

'Da Vinci Code' (Joseph Ghio, R. 2010) Seedling #IP-159E3. CA, 12" (30 cm). Late midseason bloom. Standards white veined blue on inside; falls white, blue across haft, dark blue veining to solid blue edge, blue signal. 'Like Clockwork' X seedling #FP-265U, 'Foggy Days' sibling. Bay View 2010.

This medal is restricted to Pacific Coast Native (PCN) irises. It is named in honor of Sydney B. Mitchell (1878-1951). Prof. Sydney Mitchell was an educator. He became Acting Librarian at the University of California during WW I, and later founded and became first director of the Graduate School of Librarianship at that university. He was also one of the organizers of the American Iris Society. Tom Craig wrote this of him: "Sydney looked upon plant breeding as a long term international effort in which individuals from all over the world should co-operate and add generation after generation to a real human achievement. He made me feel a real part of this and more particularly a part of a special work started by William Mohr and carried on by himself. Sydney generously gave flowers and plants of seedling for further encouragement with this work."

Mitchell was also interested in the native irises of the West Coast, and promoted them at every opportunity. He took great pride in the plantings of PCNs in his own garden. He had a large collection of various forms of I. innominata and I. douglasiana.

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.