![]() |
See Whats New!!* |
From an article selection by Jory John: Santa Cruz County Stories: Iris Season Never Ends for Joe Ghio
Born in Santa Cruz in 1938, Ghio's father was a fisherman while his mother came from a farming background. In 1953, a then-teenage Ghio came across a copy of a catalog featuring the top 10 irises of the year, and was immediately fascinated by the colors, he said. He sent away for a $5 collection of rhizomes. After studying up on hybridizing, Ghio began creating his own plants in 1954, and he's never stopped, even while pursuing other demanding lines of work. A graduate of San Jose State with a degree in business education, Ghio moved to Hayward in 1960, where he took a job as a high school business and history teacher. In 1967, Ghio moved back to Santa Cruz and accepted a teaching position at Harbor High School. In the mid-'70s, Ghio entered local politics. He was Santa Cruz mayor in 1975, 1977 and 1980. He also served on the city council for three terms. But it is the iris that has always captured his imagination. In 1980, Ghio was the recipient of the American Iris Society Dykes Medal for 'Mystique'. The medal is the highest honor bestowed by the AIS, given to one iris per year. Ghio said he wants to win that elusive second medal.
|
Joseph Ghio's AIS Medal Awarded Irises
Below you will find a picture gallery with links to Joseph Ghio's irises that have won AIS Medals.
They are presented in chronolgical order.
'Ocean Roar', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchel Medal 2025 Award of Merit 2023 Honorable Mention 2021 | 'Wilder Ranch', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2025 Award of Merit 2022 Honorable Mention 2018 |
| 'Caught In The Wild', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2024 Award of Merit 2022 Honorable Mention 2017 |
| 'Boy Genius', Border Bearded, BB Knowlton Medal 2022 Award of Merit 2018 Honorable Mention 2014 Ben Hager Cup 2013 | 'Going Bananas', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2022 Award of Merit 2017 Honorable Mention 2014 |
'Corralitos Creek', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2021 Award of Merit 2018 Honorable Mention 2016 | 'Line Drawing', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2021 Award of Merit 2016 Honorable Mention 2012 |
'Da Vinci Code', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2019 Award of Merit 2016 Honorable Mention 2014 |
'Foggy Days', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2017 Award of Merit 2014 Honorable Mention 2010 |
'Niche', Border Bearded, BB Knowlton Medal 2015Award of Merit 2011 Honorable Mention 2009 | 'Bay Street', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2015 Award of Merit 2013 Honorable Mention 2011 |
| 'Magical', Tall Bearded, TB Wister Medal 2014 Award of Merit 2012 Honorable Mention 2010 | 'Rodeo Gulch', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2014 Award of Merit 2011 Honorable Mention 2009 |
'Lines That Rhyme', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2013 Award of Merit 2010 Honorable Mention 2008 |
'Blue Plate Special', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2012 Award of Merit 2008 Honorable Mention 2006 | 'Ocean Blue', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2012 Award of Merit 2010 Honorable Mention 2007 |
'Bar Code', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2011 Award of Merit 2009 Honorable Mention 2007 | 'Star Wonder', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2011 Award of Merit 2007 Honorable Mention 2005 |
'Starring', Tall Bearded, TB Wister Medal 2007 Award of Merit 2004 Honorable Mention 2002 Franklin Cook Cup 2002 |
'Cozumel', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2006 Award of Merit 2002 Honorable Mention 1999 |
'Sieera Azul', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 2005 Award of Merit 2003 Honorable Mention 2000 |
'Night Editor', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 1997 Award of Merit 1995 Honorable Mention 1992 |
| 'Idylwild', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 1996 Award of Merit 1994 Honorable Mention 1992 |
'Drive You Wild', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 1994 Sydney B. Mitchell Award 1991 Honorable Mention 1988 | 'Simply Wild', Pacific Coast Native, PCN Sydney B. Mitchell Medal 1994 Sydney B. Mitchel Award 1987 Honorable Mention 1983 |
'Mystique', Tall Bearded, TB American Dykes Medal 1980Award of Merit 1978Honorable Mention 1976Favorite Guest 1980 |
| 'Junior Prom', Border Bearded, BB High Commendation 1967 Exhibition Certificate 1967 |
Printable inclusive list of Joseph Ghio's AIS Awarded and Recognized Irises, as of April 2025, with links to each iris.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
| I | Attachment | Action | Size | Date | Who | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
1980_07_AIS Joe Ghio Hybridizer Medal.pdf | manage | 767 K | 16 Apr 2025 - 13:34 | DougChyz | Joe Ghio 1979 Hybridizer Medal Award |
| |
JoeGhioAM1972.jpg | manage | 17 K | 28 Dec 2018 - 19:13 | DavidPotembski | AIS Bulletin 206(July 1972): 19. Joe Ghio with AM Award, Portland, OR, AIS Convention 1972. |
| |
Joseph Ghio Iris Awards.pdf | manage | 336 K | 18 Apr 2025 - 12:05 | DougChyz | Joseph Ghio AIS Awarded and Recognized Irises April 2025 |
| |
Keith Keppel Joe Ghio.jpg | manage | 1 MB | 17 Apr 2025 - 00:33 | BobPries | Blyth photo |
| |
Screenshot 2025-04-16 202942.png | manage | 822 K | 17 Apr 2025 - 00:30 | BobPries |
Copyright © by the contributing authors. All material on this collaboration platform is the property of the contributing authors.