2025 Honorable Mentions

The Honorable Mention

An officially registered and introduced iris in the classification of TB, BB, IB, SDB, MDB, MTB, Aril, Arilbred, becomes eligible for the Honorable Mention (HM) Award the second year after its year of introduction to commerce. All other classes, as registered by the introducer, become eligible for the HM Award the third year following introduction. (An introduction is an offering for sale to the public by printed document such as a catalog or printed list, or by advertisement in the AIS Bulletin or on a website. However, to be eligible for official AIS awards above the level of High Commendation Award, the iris introduction must be recorded with the AIS Registrar.) Iris of each classification remain on the official AIS Ballot for a period of three years. Normally an iris is registered before introduction. In the case that an iris is registered after introduction, some HM eligibility may be lost. An iris can go on to the official AIS Ballot only if it has been both registered and introduced. The end of its eligibility is determined by its date of introduction. An iris variety may win the HM Award only once.

There were 185 irises that won Honorable Mention in 2025. They are displayed in the galleries below.

For a complete list of the voting results for 2025 eligle for Honorable Mention irises with links to the winners click here.

Return to the main 2025 Awards page.

110 - 2025 Tall Bearded (TB) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 4,392

‘Buttermilk And Blue Cheese’
39 Votes
Douglas Kanarowski

‘Lovely Livvy’
39 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Storm Lord’
34 Votes
Richard Tasco

‘Gone Viral’
32 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Chewbacca’
31 Votes
Howard Dash

‘Girls Wanna Have Fun’
30 Votes
Paul Black

‘Here Comes Trouble’
30 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Boom Shakalaka’
29 Votes
Robert Van Liere

‘Butterscotch Latte’
29 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Mama Quel’
24 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’
26 Votes
Paul Black

‘Vulcan Sun’
26 Votes
Howard Dash

‘Keep Calm Grow Iris’
24 Votes
Douglas Kanarowskil

‘Picker Upper’
21 Votes
Lynda Miller

‘Rhizome Cowboy’
21 Votes
Schreiner

‘Karakul’
20 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Mama's Music’
20 Votes
Colin Campbell

‘Cast A Tall Shadow’
19 Votes
Paul Black

‘Love Me Forever’
19 Votes
Richard Tasco

‘Born To Party’
18 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Flight Of Bluebirds’
18 Votes
Donald Spoon

‘Sparks To A Flame’
18 Votes</brSteve Kelly

‘Cherished Memories’
17 Votes
Richard Tasco

‘Danger Ahead’
17 Votes
Howard Dash

‘Torched’
17 Votes
Hugh Stout

‘Yes Virginia’
17 Votes
Schreiner

‘Dreamsicle Delight’
16 Votes
Steve Kelly

‘Easter Dress’
16 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Paradise Valley’
16 Votes
Schreinerk

‘Singularity’
16 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘You Make Me Blush’
16 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘You Pretty Thing’
16 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Gilty’
15 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Lemon Smoothie’
15 Votes
Donald Spoon

‘Rose Of Cimarron’
15 Votes
Robert Skaggs

‘Shifting Gears’
15 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Sonic burst’
15 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Tucumcari’
15 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Carmenere’
14 Votes
Bruce Filardi

‘Covert Caper’
14 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Embellished’
14 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Midnight Voyage’
14 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Naked Beauty’
14 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘One In A Million’
14 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Positively Pink’
14 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Running In Circles’
14 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Unstained’
14 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Arkenstone’
13 Votes
Douglas Kanarowski

‘Backstory’
13 Votes
Bryce Williamson

‘Bring In The Clowns’
13 Votes
Paul Black

‘Capsized’
13 Votes
Douglas Kanarowski

‘Headless Horseman’
13 Votes
Douglas Kanarowski

‘Just Between Us’
13 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Mayan Warrior’
13 Votes
Robert Van Liere

‘Miss Purl’
13 Votes
Schreiner

‘Oh So Different’
13 Votes
Paul Black

‘Scrumdiddlyumptious’
13 Votes
Schreiner

‘Sir Lines Alot’
13 Votes
William Tyson

‘Style Maker’
13 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Veronica Ivette’
13 Votes
Hugh Stout

‘Air Kisses’
12 Votes
Diana Ford

‘All Stitched Up’
12 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Angel Of The Dawn’
12 Votes
J. Terry Aitken

‘Can't Stop Loving You’
12 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Cascade Locks’
12 Votes
Schreiner

‘Castle Peak’
12 Votes
Michael Sutton

'Gulfport'
12 Votes
Schreiner

‘I Write The Songs’
12 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Kerfuffle’
12 Votes
Tom burseen

‘Simple Magic’
12 Votes
Thomas Johnson

'Style And Substance'
12 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Sunbolt’
12 Votes
Marky Smith

‘Vaguely Noble’
12 Votes
Bruce Filardi

'Angel's Rest'
11 Votes
Schreiner

‘Apple Of My Eye’
11 Votes
Paul Black

‘Bad Whiskeye’
11 Votes
Hugh Stout

'Cast Adrift'
11 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Cherry Sorbet’
11 Votes
Lyn Chappell

‘Gilded Age’
11 Votes
Anton Mego

'Hey Soul Sister'
11 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘License To Frill’
11 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Maxinalist Art’
11 Votes
Keith Keppel

'Parisian'
11 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Snow Kiss’
11 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Stormscape’
11 Votes
Keith Keppel

'Tonantzin'
11 Votes
Howard Dash

‘Venetian Gold’
11 Votes
Bruce Filardi

‘Beyond Pretty’
10 Votes
Tom Burseen

'Blueberry Smoothie'
10 Votes
David Toth

‘Bosenberry Drizzle’
10 Votes
Paul Black

‘Burst Of Sunshine’
10 Votes
Michael Sutton

'Carnival Bandana'
10 Votes
Hooker Nichols

‘Cranberry County Fair’
10 Votes
Douglas Kanarowski

‘Dark Symphony’
10 Votes
Bruce Filardi

'Destiny's Kiss'
10 Votes
Barry Blyth

‘Gala Glow’
10 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Head Of The Class’
10 Votes
Thomas Johnson

'Headline News'
10 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Lava Explosion’
10 Votes
Steve Kelly

‘Nebraska Dawn’
10 Votes
Tom Burseen

'On The Cover'
10 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Opal Creek’
10 Votes
Schreiner

‘Power Ballad’
10 Votes
Michael Sutton

'Princess Pretty Pink'
10 Votes
Paul Black

‘Random Acts Of Kindness’
10 Votes
Paul Black

‘Shocking Secret’
10 Votes
Thomas Johnson

'Showmanship'
10 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Starlines’
10 Votes
Marky Smith

‘Texas Blue Eyes
10 Votes
Hooker Nichols

---

---

5 - 2025 Border Bearded (BB) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 298

‘Cowboy Coffee’
51 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘My Gal’
25 Votes
Paul Black

‘Blazing Orange’
21 Votes
Paul Black

‘I Believe’
16 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Red Delight’
16 Votes
J. Terry Aitken

---

---

9 - 2025 Intermediate Bearded (IB) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 476

‘Absolute Perfection’
29 Votes
Paul Black

‘Endora’
28 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Yam Jam’
18 Votes
Ava Toth

‘Enchanted Ring’
17 Votes
Bruce Filardi

‘Partisan’
15 Votes
Marky Smith

‘Superstitous’
14 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Little Purple Dragon’
13 Votes
Hooker Nichols

‘Dijonnaise’
12 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Impressive’
12 Votes
Paul Black

---

---

4 - 2025 Miniature Tall Bearded (MTB) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 343

‘Crazy Chaos’
45 Votes
Lynda Miller

‘Soft Kitty’
29 Votes
Lynda Miller

‘Prison Stripes’
25 Votes
Lynda Miller

‘Made In The Shade’
21 Votes
Hugh Stout

---

---

28 - 2025 Standard Dwarf Bearded (SDB) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 983

‘Zaa Zaa Zing’
23 Votes
Paul Black

‘Touch Of Turquoise’
15 Votes
Paul Black

‘Astral Projection’
13 Votes
Richard Tasco

‘Boo To You’
12 Votes
Paul Black

‘Demure Princess’
12 Votes
Paul Black

‘Bacon And Eggs’
11 Votes
Paul Black

‘Orange Kitty’
11 Votes
Donald Spoon

‘Tiger On The Green’
11 Votes
Anita Moran

‘Adorbs’
10 Votes
Kimberly Rieniets

‘Grandma's Joy’
10 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Grape Cocktail’
10 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Penny For Your Thoughts’
10 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Pumpkin Tart’
10 Votes
Michael Sutton

‘Red Hot Blues’
10 Votes
Paul Black

‘Sassy Salsa’
10 Votes
Paul Black

‘Uraqt’
10 Votes
Gary Slagle

‘Candlelit Evening’
9 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Coven’
9 Votes
Hugh Stout

‘Flirty Dancing’
9 Votes
Lynda Miller

‘Hot Peaches’
9 Votes
Donald Spoon

‘Kitty Cat’
9 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Lava Burst’
9 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Master The Flame’
9 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘My Sweetness’
9 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Sharp Dressed Boy’
9 Votes
Schreiner

‘Sharp Wit’
9 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘She Shed’
9 Votes
Hugh Stout

‘Wow Gee Whiz’
9 Votes
Paul Black

---

---

5 - 2025 Miniature Dwarf Bearded (MDB) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 184

‘Tit For Tat’
11 Votes
Thomas Johnson

‘Bighorn’
9 Votes
Schreiner

‘Decibelle’
9 Votes
Keith Keppel

‘Don't Blink Twice’
9 Votes
Lee Walker

‘Short Nip’
9 Votes
Lee Walker

---

---

2 - 2025 Aril and Arilbred (AR) & (AB) Honorable Mention Irises

Aril irises and arilbred irises with at least 50% aril content

Total votes cast - 122

‘Golden Illusion’
AB(OGB)
25 Votes
Richard Tasco

‘Grand Masterpiece’
AB(OGB)
16 Votes
Richard Tasco

---

---

3 - 2025 Arilbred (AB) Honorable Mention Irises

Arilbred irises with at least 25% but less than 50% aril content

Total votes cast - 204

‘Fire Nebula’
AB(OGB-)
30 Votes
Richard Tasco

‘Not Of This World’
AB(OGB-)
25 Votes
Richard Tasco

‘Bordeaux Blaze’
AB(OGB-)
23 Votes
Paul Black

---

---

0 - 2025 Species (SPEC) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 0

---

---

2 - 2025 Species-X (SPEC-X) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 79

‘Polly Wolly Doodle’
30 Votes
Jill Copeland

‘Cut A Rug’
16 Votes
Hugh Stout

---

---

2 - 2025 Pacific Coast Iris (PCI)/(CA) Honorable Mentiont Irises

Total votes cast - 29

‘Miss Otis Regrets’
7 Votes
Deborah A. Cole

‘Scaliwaggle’
7 Votes
Robert Seaman

---

---

9 - 2025 Louisiana (LA) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 227

‘Girls Night Out’
13 Votes
Peter Jackson

‘Legally Blonde’
11 Votes
Patrick O'Connor

‘Galactic Traveler’
9 Votes
Hooker Nichols

‘Strawberry Lemonade’
9 Votes
Joseph Musacchhia

‘Winnifred Sturtevant’
9 Votes
Hooker Nichols

‘Acadian Wedding’
8 Votes
Joseph Musacchia

‘Lakeland’
7 Votes
Steve Poole

‘Oriental Parasol’
6 Votes
Peter Jackson

‘Vaughn Pearce’
6 Votes
Hooker Nichols

---

---

2 - 2025 Siberian (SIB) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 157

‘Chasing Fireflies’
16 Votes
Robert Hollingworth

‘Pure Flattery’
15 Votes
Robert Hollingworth

---

---

2 - 2025 Spuria (SPU) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 75

‘Missouri Gold Mine’
17 Votes
Jim Hedgecock

‘Nebula Wind’
12 Votes
Anna Cadd

---

---

2 - 2025 Japanese (JI) Honorable Mention Irises

Total votes cast - 78

‘Nutcracker Suite’
21 Votes
Patrick Spence

‘Great Lakes Waves’
18 Votes
Jill Copeland

---

---

If you find errors in the information presented here, please contact the AIS Encyclopedia Manager at aisencyclopedia@irises.org

-- DougChyz - 8 Oct 2025