The Ben R. Hager Cup

The Ben R. Hager Cup ….........related links: Awards

The Ben Hager Cup, first awarded in 2007, is awarded annually during the American Iris Society's annual convention. All introduced median irises (SDB, IB, MTB and BB) seen growing and in bloom in the official tour gardens of the meeting are eligible. Irises considered need not be official guest irises. Each registrant may vote for one median iris variety and the Ben R. Hager Cup is awarded to the median iris receiving the largest number of votes. Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDBs), and to some degree Intermediate Bearded (IBs), are usually at a disadvantage since conventions are scheduled to hit the later bloom season of the Tall bearded Irises. Border Beardeds (BBs) usually coincide with this bloom time. But all median classes have some cultivars that regularly bloom extremely early and extremely late. These extend the bloom season for the class and the later can be great companions for the Tall beardeds.

The award is named for Ben Hager who was one of the premier hybridizers in the American Iris Society and had the distinction of winning the top awards in every category that was possible in his time. For more biography and a list of his introductions see Hybridizer Ben Hager

2023 Dallas, Texas, ‘Blushing Fairy’, IB, Hooker Nichols

2022 Las Cruces, New Mexico, ‘Black Comedy’, IB, Paul Black

2019 San Ramon, California, ‘Black Comedy’, IB, Paul Black

2018 New Orleans, Louisiana, ‘No Award’

2017 Des Moines, Iowa, ‘Chocolate Founatin’, MTB, Kenneth Fisher

2016 Newark, New Jersey, ‘Moose Tracks’, MTB, Lynda Miller

2015 Portland, Oregon, ‘Moose Tracks’, MTB, Lynda Miller

2014 Dallas, Texas, 2-Way Tie, ‘Bahama Blues’, IB, Michael Sutton

2014 Dallas, Texas, 2-Way Tie ‘Bottled Sunshine’, IB, Hooker Nichols

2013 Dallas, Texas, ‘Boy Genius’, BB, Joseph Ghio

2012 Ontario, California, ‘Man's Best Friend’, IB, Paul Black

2011 Victoria, British Columbia, ‘Dazzling’, IB, Paul Black

2010 Madison, Wisconsin, 3-Way Tie ‘Dallas Mahan’, MTB, Clarence Mahan

2010 Madison, Wisconsin, 3-Way Tie, ‘Ruffled Rascal’, BB, Francis Rogers

2010 Madison, Wisconsin, 3-Way tie, ‘Survivor’, MTB, Lynda Miller

2009 Kansas City, Missouri, ‘Dividing Line’, MTB, Charles Bunnell

2008 Austin, Texas, ‘Crow's Feet’, BB, Paul Black

2007 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, ‘Dividing Line’, MTB, Charles Bunnell