Difference: HybridizerFischerHubert (r3 vs. r2)

Hybridizer Hubert Fischer

Hybridizer Hubert A. Fischer (1896-1981)

Hinsdale, Illinois, USA

Irisarians and horticulturists of the world lost one of their truly great

members on November 2, 1981, when Hubert A. Fischer, of Hinsdale, Illinois,

died after a month-long illness.

Hubert was a 1920 Charter Member of the American Iris Society. He and

his wife Marie were early iris fanciers, and soon became acquainted with

leading iris growers. As their interests included perennials other than irises,

they soon established show gardens, first in Lombard, Illinois, and later on

their fourteen-acre estate in Hinsdale, which under their meticulous care

and horticultural ingenuity became well known as one of the finest privately

owned garden show places around Chicago. Here visitors were treated to

spectacular displays of literally thousands of blooming tulips, daffodils,

hybrid poppies, peonies, irises, hemerocallis, all amid a park-like surrounding

of evergreens, oaks, elms, and willow trees, with plush green lawns. In

the late '60s and early '70s, an outstanding display of hostas was added

among the pine trees.

Hubert and Marie were active hybridizers of poppies and irises; several

of the latter, including DU PAGE, TRUTH, and MEADOW SNOW, were introduced.

Hubert was better known for his hemerocallis orginations, which

included Oriental Ruby, Green Valley, Red Spinel, and Thumbelina.

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Hubert will be long remembered for his great interest in horticulture, having

been an active member of the Chicago Horticultural Society; the Men's

Garden Club of America (Chicago and Hinsdale); the American

Hemerocallis Society (Past President); Chicagoland Daylily Society

(Founder); and the Northern Illinois Iris Society. He served as RVP of

Region 9, AIS Director, and AIS President (1963-1966). He will be

remembered for his many interesting talks and slide shows frequently given

to groups all over the world. He will be remembered for his seed transfer

programs to hybridizers in foreign countries.

As AIS President, Hubert was instrumental in establishing the AIS Foundation;

in arranging for and establishing the rules and methods for local iris

societies becoming affiliated with AIS;.in providing for Sections of AIS in

order to promote the interest in irises of all kinds; and for developing and

assuring the future of scientific growth within AIS.

For his extreme devotion to horticulture and for the fruits of his efforts,

Hubert A. Fischer received many medals and awards during his long, colorful

and active horticultural life.

AIS: Distinguished Service Medal

Chicago Horticultural Society Medal

Men's Garden Club of America Medal

American Hemerocallis Society: Floriadi Medal, President's Cup,

three Don Fischer Memorial Awards, two Achievement Awards,

Bertrand Farr Award, Two Lennington All American Awards

American Horticultural Congress: Outstanding Gardener Medal

After his term as AIS President, Hubert became an extensive world

traveler, usually making his visits during peak bloom periods: England

(irises and roses); Germany (fall garden shows); Italy (three times to the

Florence International Iris competition); South Africa (wild flowers and orchids);

Australia (irises and ferns); and Japan (chrysanthemums). He was

an invited honor guest at the Moscow Botanical Conference, and was invited

to view the Russian Crown Jewels. His travels also included

Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Tahiti, India, Kashmir, Nepal,

and mainland China. In addition to all these trips, Hubert found time to attend

almost all AIS conventions. His stamina belied his age, and gave him

the opportunity, and the pleasure, to meet with horticulturists all over the

world, making many long-lasting friendships. His gentleness, sincerity,

humor and willingness to participate at all levels, made him an outstanding

ambassador in the horticultural world.

Marie and Hubert lost their son Donald in the late '50s, and Marie died in

the early '70s. Afterwards, Hubert lived alone, not willing to give up his

home and garden, but maintained communications with his multitude of

friends throughout the world.

He had been a wholesale diamond and precious gem dealer in Chicago

for more than fifty years.

Edward E. Varnum

Registrations/Introductions:

Tall Bearded: 'DuPage', 'Evening', 'Meadow Snow', 'Star Sapphire', 'Truth'.

-- Main.RPries - 2012-05-18

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