2025 American Iris Society Hybridizer Medal from the Winter 2026 AIS Bulletin, Volume 107, No. 1, Pages 16-17

CONGRATULATIONS TO HOWIE DASH FOR BEING AWARDED THE AIS RECIPIENT OF THE HYBRIDIZER MEDAL!

THE RECIPIENT OF THE AIS HYBRIDIZER MEDAL!

Howie is an American iris hybridizer living in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Region 23. Howie has registered and introduced irises in three classes: arilbred (AB), Louisiana (LA), and tall bearded (TB). He introduces bearded irises through his garden Picacho Mountain Iris.

As of this nomination, Howie has hybridized, registered, and introduced seventeen AB irises. Of these, one received an exhibition certificate, two received honorable mention (HM) awards, one of those also received an award of merit (AM). That iris, ‘Chihuahua Night’, also won the Clarence G. White Medal in 2025. In 2022, it also won the President’s Cup at the AIS convention and was named one of the favorite fifteen guest iris at that convention.

Howie has registered five LA irises. They will be introduced by Nichols’ Hillcrest Iris Garden. Howie has also registered and introduced fifty-two TB irises to date. Of those, he has received fifteen HM awards, six AM awards, one exhibition certificate, and one Zurbrigg-Mahan Seedling Cup award.

The six TB irises to receive an AM are: ‘Ay Chihuahua’, ‘Chihuahuan Desert’, ‘Copper Angel’, ‘Gold Dust Woman’, ‘Jedi Princess’, ‘Tango In The Night’. ‘Chihuahuan Desert’ went on to win a Wister Medal in 2023.

Howie Dash, in addition to hybridizing irises, has been active on the local, regional, and national levels for many years. He has been RVP of his region, has been the RVP counselor for several years while serving on the AIS Board of Directors. Howie is also currently the president of the Aril Society International. And, he has been AIS second vice-president and now the AIS first vice-president. Howie also serves on a number of AIS committees, and he has given programs and conducted judges training schools at numerous sites around the country.

Overall, Howie has registered seventy-four irises. Most have been introduced. Of the seventy-four irises to date, Howie has won seventeen HM awards and seven AM awards. He has to date received two Special Medals: Clarence G. White Medal (Arilbreds with half or more aril content) for ‘Chihuahua Night’ and the Wister Medal (TB irises) for ‘Chihuahuan Desert’.

The full listing of Howie’s award-winning irises, with awards and medals, follows.
Arilbred Irises

 

‘Animas’ (R. 2022, AB (OGB))—Exhibition Certificate 2024

 

‘Chihuahua Morning’ (2022, AB (OGB-))—HM 2024

 

‘Chihuahua Night’ (2019, AB (OGB))—HM 2021, AM 2023, C. G. White Medal 2025 also won the President’s Cup 2022 and was a Favorite Guest iris 2022.
Tall Bearded Irises

 

‘Ay Chihuahua’ (2018, TB)—HM 2021, AM 2023

 

‘Chihuahuan Desert’ (2016, TB)—HM 2018, AM 2021, Wister Medal 2023

 

‘Copper Angel’ (2018, TB)—HM 2021, AM 2023

 

‘Desert Blush’ (2019, TB)—HM 2023

 

‘Dot Matrix’(2024, TB)—Exhibition Certificate 2023

 

‘Flamingo Fever’ (2019, TB)—HM 2022, also won the Zurbrigg-Mahan Seedling Cup 2017

 

‘Frank’s Dream’ (2021, TB)—HM 2023

 

‘Gold Dust Woman’ (2019, TB)—HM 2022, AM 2024

 

‘Hot Embers’ (2020, TB)—HM 2022

 

‘Jedi Princess’ (2019, TB)—HM 2021, AM 2023

 

‘New Mexico Sky’ (2022, TB)—HM 2024

 

‘Nittany Lion’ (2021, TB)—HM 2024

 

‘Silver Silk’ (2017, TB)—HM 2022

 

‘Tango In The Night’ (2017, TB)—HM 2021, AM 2023

 

‘Witchy Woman’ (2021, TB)—HM 2023

 

‘Zia Sunshine’ (2019, TB)—HM 2021

For a printable copy of the Hybridizer Medal citation click here.

The Honorary Awards 2025 pages from the Winter 2026 AIS Bulletin, Volume 107, No. 1 Page 12-17.