The Bennett C. Jones Award for Outstanding Median Hybridizing is an annual award given by the Median Iris Society to an iris hybridizer who has made noteworthy contributions to the breeding of median irises."
In 2006, President Perry Dyer conducted a tribute to
Bennett Jones detailing his history and early work that resulted
in forming median classes, his award winners and contributions
to the iris world. The culmination was the presentation of the
new Median Society award: The Bennett C. Jones Award
for Outstanding Median Hybridizing, which will continue in
future years, to Bennett as first recipient.
A
Hybridizer’s Hybridizer
- Born in Northern Colorado, his first exposure to irises was
a trip to Boulder, CO to meet J. D. Long and visit Long’s
Gardens.
- During high school, he earned enough money mowing and raking
lawns to order 6 irises for $5 from Schreiner’s Gardens
- After two disastrous springs in a row in Colorado, a friend
of Bennett’s told him of the ideal climate and growing
conditions in the Portland area.
- So in 1941, with new bride Betty Stuart, he picked up and moved
to the Promised Land.
- After serving in the Navy during WWII, he bought the parcel
of land where he built the house he resided in for over 50 years
in Raleigh Hills.
- In 1946 he began corresponding with the leading hybridizers
of the day, and with them was among the first to incorporate I. pumila into
his breeding program.
- This led to the birth of the Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris that
we know today.
- Through the years Bennett has introduced over 100 irises, in
classifications ranging from Miniature Dwarfs through Tall Beardeds
and even Pacific Coast Natives.
- He is best known for his pioneering work in the SDB class,
launching contrasting beards, advancements in form, success in
improving colors and exploring new colors and patterns.
- His Sass Medalist, Peachy Face, was one of the first Intermediates
recognized as having some degree of fertility
- Cook-Douglas Medal
- Cherry Garden
- Gingerbread Man
- Cotton Blossom
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Rain Dance
- Sun Doll
- Orange Tiger
- Bedford Lilac
- Dot Com
- Sass Medal
- Knowlton Medal
Thank you Bennett for all the beauty and wisdom
you’ve brought into our lives.
Winners of the Bennett C. Jones Award for
Outstanding Median Hybridizing
2012 Marky Smith, Yakima, WA
2011 Keith Keppel, Salem, OR
2010 Terry Aitken, Vancouver, WA
2009 Paul Black, Salem, OR
2008 O.
David Niswonger, Cape Girardeau, MO
2007 Allan Ensminger, Lincoln,
NE
2006 Bennett C. Jones, Portland, OR
Nomination forms for this award are due each
year by December 31.
To make nominations,
click on the link below to obtain a copy of the Nomination Form (PDF).
>>> Nomination
Form <<<
