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.

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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.

‘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
1995 - 'Calico Cat' - C. Lankow	1994 - 'Zinger' - S. Stevens	1993 - 'Zinc Pink' - A. Ensminger
1992 - 'Batik' - A. Ensminger	1991 - 'Shenanigan' - K. Keppel	1990 - 'Miss Nellie' - J. Burch
1989 - 'Peccadillo' - K. Keppel	1988 - 'Soft Spoken' - P. Dyer	1987 - 'Drum Solo' - H. Stahly
1986 - 'Pink Bubbles' - B. Hager	1985 - 'Gypsy Wings' - Melba Hamblen	1984 - 'Marmalade Skies' - D. Niswonger
1983 - 'Am I Blue' - D. Denney	1982 - 'Picayune' - K. Keppel	1981 - 'Whoop 'em Up' - D. Brady
1980 - 'Brown Lasso' - E. Buckles	1979 - 'Stepping Little' - H. Kuesel	1978 - 'Raspberry Sundae' - D. Niswonger
1977 - 'Embroidery' - K. Keppel	1976 - 'Molten Glass' - J. Marsh	1975 - 'Dresden Frills' - N. Rudolph
1974 - 'Junior Prom' J. Ghio	1973 - 'Bride's Pearls' - A. Brown	1972 - 'Lace Valentine' - Warburton
1971 - 'Crystal Bay' - B. Jones	1970 - 'Pebbles' - J. Tucker	1969 - 'Blue Miller' - T. Brown
1968 - (M) 'Frenchi' - B. Jones	1967 - (M) 'Jungle Shadows' - Sass-Graham	1966 - (M) 'Tulare' - M. Hamblen
1965 - 'Bayadere' - O. Brown	1964 - (A) 'Tulare' - M. Hamblen	1963 - 'Fairy Jewels' - M. Hamblen
1962 - (A) 'Jungle Shadows' - Sass-Graham	1961 - (A) 'Frenchi' - B. Jones	1960 - 'Yellow Dresden' - M. Albright

AIS website:

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