Knowlton Medal

The highest award given by the American Iris Society strictly to Border Bearded Irises.

History by Clarence Mahan ….......................................................related links: Awards; 2015 Knowlton Medal Candidates.

This medal is restricted to border bearded (BB) irises. It is named in honor of Harold W. Knowlton (1888-1968).

Harold Knowlton of Auburndale, Massachusetts, was a tireless promoter of the border bearded class of irises. Bennett Jones wrote in The World of Irises: "Harold Knowlton was among the first to make deliberate selections of smaller plants. Two of his 1950 introductions, 'Pearl Cup' … and 'Crickett'... display the desirable features we still seek in modern border irises."

Knowlton was the seventh president of the AIS (1953-55) and served the society in several important positions. He was highly regarded as a leader, planner and organizer and reorganized the AIS awards system and instituted the first Handbook for Judges and the handbook for new members; What Every Iris Grower Should Know. He also compiled and edited the 1959 Check List. The AIS awarded him the Distinguished Service Medal in 1955.

List of Knowlton Medal winners - Border Bearded (BB) Irises:

The Median Iris Society sponsors the annual awarding of four medals by AIS to medians in each of the recognized classifications: SDB, IB, MTB, and BB. Note that most classifications within the AIS Awards System began with Award of Merit (AM) equivalent Awards, later elevated to Medal status. At this transition, previous Award winners from a specified period of time re-competed for the higher Medal honors. Thus there are some duplicate entries. They are designated with an (A) beside the date on which they won the AM-equivalent, and an (M) on Medal status.

'Frosty Spirit'
2025 - Richard Tasco
'Sicilian Orange'
2024 - Michael Sutton
‘What’s New Pussycat’
2023 - Paul Black
'Boy Genius'
2022 - Joseph Ghio
'Banded Rose'
2021 - Terry Aitken
'Grapenut'
2021 - Michael Sutton
'My Cher Of Happiness'
2019 - Paul Black
'Sheer Excitement'
2018 - Rick Tasco
'Ballerina Pink'
2017 - Paul Black
'Meerkat Manor'
2016 - Brad Kasperek
'Niche'
2015 - Joseph Ghio
'Lady Of The Night'
2014 - Paul Black
'Bundle Of Love'
2013 - Paul Black
'Crow's Feet'
2012 - Paul Black
'Fleece As White'
2011 - Paul Black
'Eye Candy'
2010 - Keith Keppel
'Border Control'
2009 - Thomas Johnson
'Teapot Tempest'
2008 - Lynn Markham
'Go For Bold'
2007 - Paul Black
'Anaconda Love'
2006 - Brad Kasperek
'Christiana Baker'
2005 - Frederic Kerr
'Orange Pop'
2004 - Larry Lauer
'Lemon Up'
2003 - Tom Magee
'Baboon Bottom'
2002 - Brad Kasperek
'Cranapple'
2001 - Terry Aitken
'Apricot Frosty'
2000 - David Niswonger
'Petite Ballet'
1999 - Keith Keppel
'Red Rooster'
1998 - John Durrance
'Sonja's Selah'
1997 - Allan Ensminger
'Lenora Pearl'
1996 - Hooker Nichols
'Calico Cat'
1995 - C. Lankow 'Zinger'
1994 - S. Stevens 'Zinc Pink'
1993 - A. Ensminger 'Batik'
1992 - A. Ensminger 'Shenanigan'
1991 - K. Keppel 'Miss Nellie'
1990 - J. Burch 'Peccadillo'
1989 - K. Keppel 'Soft Spoken'
1988 - P. Dyer 'Drum Solo'
1987 - H. Stahly 'Pink Bubbles'
1986 - B. Hager 'Gypsy Wings'
1985 - Melba Hamblen 'Marmalade Skies'
1984 - D. Niswonger 'Am I Blue'
1983 - D. Denney 'Picayune'
1982 - K. Keppel 'Whoop 'em Up'
1981 - D. Brady 'Brown Lasso'
1980 - E. Buckles 'Stepping Little'
1979 - H. Kuesel 'Raspberry Sundae'
1978 - D. Niswonger 'Embroidery'
1977 - K. Keppel 'Molten Glass'
1976- J. Marsh 'Dresden Frills'
1975 - N. Rudolph 'Junior Prom'
1974 J. Ghio 'Bride's Pearls'
1973 - A. Brown 'Lace Valentine'
1972 - Warburton 'Crystal Bay'
1971 - B. Jones 'Pebbles'
1970 - J. Tucker 'Blue Miller'
1969 - T. Brown 'Frenchi'
1968 (M) - B. Jones 'Jungle Shadows'
1967 (M) - Sass-Graham 'Tulare'
1966 (M) - M. Hamblen 'Bayadere'
1965 (M) - O. Brown 'Tulare'
1964 (A) - M. Hamblen 'Fairy Jewels'
1963 (A) - M. Hamblen 'Jungle Shadows'
1962 (A) - Sass-Graham 'Frenchi'
1961 (A) - B. Jones 'Yellow Dresden'
1960 (A) - M. Albright

AIS website:

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-- BobPries - 2009-12-24