What is "Iris Of The Year"?

Each year an Iris wins the highest Iris award the American Dykes Medal. The award is given to an Iris that has been through the long journey up the AIS awards system and voted by hundreds of AIS accredited judges. The ballots are counted in August and although the names are announced it is not until the next year that the award is presented to the hybridizer at the Spring AIS convention. So although the current American Dykes Medal winner is known in August, it is not formally celebrated until the coming year and is said to be the Iris of the Year for that year.

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AIS Irises of the Year

AIS Iris of the Year press releases can be found on each of the irises cultivar pages by clicking on the irises link or photo.

‘Royston Rubies’, TB
2026 Iris of the Year
Adam Cordes

‘Perry Dyer’' AB (OGB-)
2025 Iris of the Year
Paul Black

‘Don't Doubt Dalton’, TB
2024 Iris of the Year
Tom Burseen

‘Football Hero’, TB
2023 Iris of the Year
Lynda Miller

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

-- BobPries - 2013-08-29