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Median Iris Society
Paul Black Laurie Frazer Bennett Jones David Niswonger
Twyla Olmstead Tony & Dorothy Willott

Bennett Jones

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 Medals:
    • Cherry Garden
    • Gingerbread Man
    • Cotton Blossom
    • Kentucky Bluegrass
    • Rain Dance
    • Sun Doll
    • Orange Tiger
    • Bedford Lilac
    • Dot Com
  • Sass Medal:
    • Peachy Face
  • Knowlton Medal:
    • Frenchi
    • Crystal Bay