I've been exploring the iris database and have established that I have
more Blyth iris (60) , out of more than 300 cultivars,than any othe rhybridizers'. However, I also noticed that Blyth, of Tempo Two, has
no awards listed here - and I think that's because he's Australian.
The awards are for Americans, I think? So Blyth is left out - EXCEPT for Adoree. It's listed as having Honorable Mention 2011 and Award of Merit 2013. I wonder why the exception? I'm so anticipating the bloom of Adoree!!!
I love his colors, his ruffles, their substance. They make a statement!

Who is your favorite?

Blyth is my favorite, also. There are several others who are introducing wonderful irises, as well. I'm really looking forward to trying irises from a couple of lesser known hybridizers from Europe, Mego and Montanari.

I am drawn to the Blyth irises for the same reasons. He sent me a catalog years ago that I am sure cost him a lot of postage but I was enamored with his intros from that day on. Still have those two old well-worn catalogs he sent me about 5 years ago. I am not sure that all of them are good growers in Zone 6b but then many T Johnson's are not either.
I love Ghio and Keppel but lust after Blyth the most.

Whoa-whoa-whoa Janie -- you have trouble with Tom Johnson's Irises there? Oh say it ain't so!!! Tom Johnson has become my favorite hybridizer and I would hate it if his Irises didn't do well in Kentucky!!

Now I'm gonna have to go to my database and see if I've lost any of his................

Well -- I did a fast check and don't seem to be having any problems with Tom Johnson Irises that I grow here. Thankfully. I wonder what the difference would be between your place and mine?

To answer your question, Jan -- Tom Johnson is my favorite hybridizer. This is not to take away from Blyth/Ghio/Keppel Irises -- they're gorgeous and these are wonderfully talented men. But there's something about Johnson Irises that grab my attention and admiration -- even before I know that they're his. He just creates flowers of such beauty.

janwax said:I've been exploring the iris database and have established that I have
more Blyth iris (60) , out of more than 300 cultivars,than any othe rhybridizers'. However, I also noticed that Blyth, of Tempo Two, has
no awards listed here - and I think that's because he's Australian.
The awards are for Americans, I think? So Blyth is left out - EXCEPT for Adoree. It's listed as having Honorable Mention 2011 and Award of Merit 2013. I wonder why the exception? I'm so anticipating the bloom of Adoree!!!
I love his colors, his ruffles, their substance. They make a statement!

Who is your favorite?

Several Blyth iris have received awards from AIS, although it's a small number relative to how many he has introduced.

http://garden.org/plants/group...

To be eligible for an AIS award, an iris has to be introduced in North America prior to being introduced anywhere else. Keith Keppel has been the initial introducer for a few of Barry Blyth's irises over the years. Additionally, an iris also has to be hybridized in North America to be eligible to win the Dykes Medal. Decadence probably would have won the Dykes Medal, but it wasn't eligible for that reason.

Luckily I don't have to choose just 1.........Keppel, Ghio, and Blyth are first choices with Black and T. Johnson close seconds......

Blyth is my favorite! I think it's because they seem to be bigger and more ruffles.

Thanks for the information about AIS awards, Kent.
Paul, I also love the creations of Keppel, and Ghio. Grand old men of irisdom!
And Tom Johnson is a young standout hybridizer, Mary Ann ! Love so many of his!

I would have to go through my list, but I know I chose a lot of George Sutton's work.

1. Sass - He created 'Rameses', 'Solid Mahogany', ' Prairie Sunset', 'The Red Douglas'.
2. Farr - I love his 'Quaker Lady' and 'Juniata'
3. Hager - For creating the beauty of 'Beverly Sills'
4. Williamson - For his brilliance in creating 'Wabash'
5. Kleinsorge - I really love the beauty of his 'Grand Canyon', 'Bryce Canyon' and 'Maroon Damask'.

Patrick - He is a she as to Wabash. Mary Williamson hybridized Wabash.

I don't know how to respond to this question. I think it's a very close race between the 5 Paul mentioned. I think Tom Johnson is an up and comer in the iris world. He is young, and quite successful already. I am thinking only of the active hybridizers, not those who are no longer making crosses for one reason or another. I agree that George Sutton produced some really great ones in his life time. I think his son has picked up the baton and will do great things too. I think we need them all. All of the current hybridizers are owing to those who made progress in the past generations, so as future generations of hybridizers will move beyond the current top ones. Tastes will change, and styles will change, and colors will be developed in the future based on the work of the past and present genetics. IMHO

Great answer, Tom!

I like Paul Black's medians although Thomas does similiar ones. Really my favorite hybridizer is John Burton since he started. We miss Ben Hager & Bee Warburton so much.

tveguy3 said:I don't know how to respond to this question. I think it's a very close race between the 5 Paul mentioned. I think Tom Johnson is an up and comer in the iris world. He is young, and quite successful already. I am thinking only of the active hybridizers, not those who are no longer making crosses for one reason or another. I agree that George Sutton produced some really great ones in his life time. I think his son has picked up the baton and will do great things too. I think we need them all. All of the current hybridizers are owing to those who made progress in the past generations, so as future generations of hybridizers will move beyond the current top ones. Tastes will change, and styles will change, and colors will be developed in the future based on the work of the past and present genetics. IMHO

Well said.

All of us grow the plants which do well in our climate. Thus liking different folks.

irisarian said:All of us grow the plants which do well in our climate. Thus liking different folks.

Lucy - I'm in California. One surprise I had this year was that I didn't get as many of the dwarf iris
to bloom this year as I expected. Most were first year...and we've been in a drought for several years. Tb's did well.
I'm hoping the shorties do well in the spring. Ones I got from Sue are growing gangbusters!

Oh, and I couldn't find John Burton in the database...yet. You like him, so I'll try googling.

As Lucy said....some do better in certain areas than others, and some concentrate on a particular class of iris, so it would be awfully hard for me to pick one from the crowd. And, as Tom stated so well....everything introduced today was built on the foundations of what came before....and that will continue...so, in effect, the "whole", is greater than the sum of it's parts......and every part was, is, and will be, essential in producing the irises of the future.

By the way, Lucy .....that was a nice "plug" for John !! I think he owes you a hug for that one