Hybridizer Miss Isabella Preston (1881 - 1965)

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Coming to Canada in 1912, Miss Preston, became a specialist in ornamental gardening and hybridized irises, especially beardless varieties. 'Gatineau' became her best known Siberian, although 'Ottawa' was the first Canadian iris to receive an AM from the Royal Horticultural Society of England in 1928. (CIS-N v22 n1 p18 & AIS '39 p56) Her research at the Dominion Experimental Farms in Ottawa beginning in 1920 also produced strains of lilac, lilies and crab apples. (CIS v35n3p21-22) She named her siberian creations after Canadian rivers, and (as of 1990) all her introductions still grow on the Farm.(CIS-N v35 n3 p22) [16] She was awarded the AIS Hybridizer Medal in 1950. (AIS '79; CIS-N v22 n1 p18) (Researched by Don McQueen)

Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada. Specialist in Ornamental Gardening, hybridizer of Irises, especially beardless varieties. Miss Preston received the American Iris Society Hybridizer Award in 1950.

See horticultural Biography in Canadian Horticultural History

Registrations/Introductions:

Intermediate Bearded: 'Canadian Gold', .

Siberian: 'Abitibi', 'Chaudiere', 'China Blue', 'Gatineau', 'Kenogami', 'Kootenay', 'Madawaska', 'Matane', 'Mattawin', 'Nipigon', 'Ottawa', 'Pembina', 'Pickanock', 'Richelieu', 'Rideau', 'Rimouski', 'Skeena'.

Tall Bearded: 'Carling', 'Dawson', 'Gwynne', 'Irving'.

-- BobPries - 2012-05-18