Dividing Line, a MTB, won the 2014 Dykes. It is a nice iris. Look at Betja's picture on the data base. Gypsy Lord was the runner-up and Blue Beards Ghost came in 4th.

It went to a little one this year! I think I like Blue Beards Ghost better though, but my opinon doesn't matter. But I would have picked Gypsy Lord, love that one.

My pick would have been Gypsy Lord...........

In the minority, here. Don't have it, but based on the photos, I am so-so on Gypsy Lord. Really like Bluebeard's Ghost a lot and plan to buy it next year. Dividing Line is nice, though.

I grow Dividing Line and it is much better than photos can show. It is one of those irises that once you see it you know why so many people like it. There is another that I like called Missus Bee that is a lot like Dividing Line except has a more old fashioned form. Both are lovely and perform beautifully. I just acquired Missus Bee and really want to see her compared to Dividing Line. Both are MTB's. Dividing Line really performed well for me this spring.

I am getting Frosted Velvet from Leslie, which, to my eye, is sort of similar to Dividing Line, so I am going to be content with it.

These results just tell me that I have a lot to learn.

TBs can split their votes letting accomplished medians show their true stuff. It took its 3rd year on the Dykes ballot to show its true potential. for a garden plant, it is excellent.

Paul (or anyone else),

Do you know which irises won the Hager, Franklin Cook, and President's Cups this year? I always have a hard time finding those.

Since those are all "popularity" awards, and not "judges descisions", I don't think they have been announced yet...I *think* they are still receiving the "symposium" ballots. I can'r remember just when those were to be turned in, and tallied, but I'm sure it takes a while to tally them up.............Arlyn

this is the way it looks now.

Wister - Montmartre
Knowlton - Lady of the night
Sass - Dazzling
Williamson - Rayos Adentro
Cook Douglas - Eye of the Tiger
Caparne Welch - Icon

Presidents Cup...........'Bottled Sunshine'....................... Cook Cup............'Bahama Blues'................... Hagar Cup.........??????

Of the seven irises listed under Dykes medal first was MTB Dividing Line and fourth was SDB Bluebeard's Ghost.

crowrita1 said:Since those are all "popularity" awards, and not "judges descisions", I don't think they have been announced yet...I *think* they are still receiving the "symposium" ballots. I can'r remember just when those were to be turned in, and tallied, but I'm sure it takes a while to tally them up.............Arlyn

No, they are voted on and awarded during the national convention (although it's true that one doesn't have to be a judge, or even a member of AIS, to vote, just a registered attendee of the convention).

You might be thinking of the Tall Bearded Iris Symposium's annual vote on the "100 Most Popular Tall Bearded Iris". Voting for that goes until September 1, but it's not really an award, just sort of an interesting list.

I have a question regarding the Dykes Award. If a given Iris (Gypsy Lord, for instance) has been given a designation as a runner-up (or third place, etc.) -- does that disqualify it from winning the Dykes Award in the future? What I'm wondering is if Gypsy Lord could be a Dykes Award winner in the future???

Paul2032 said:Presidents Cup...........'Bottled Sunshine'....................... Cook Cup............'Bahama Blues'................... Hagar Cup.........??????

Thanks much, Paul.

I don't know the rules Mary Ann but I think it can stay on the list for maybe 2-3 years and then it can not be selected again???? Someone who knows jump in here please.

Muddymitts said:I have a question regarding the Dykes Award. If a given Iris (Gypsy Lord, for instance) has been given a designation as a runner-up (or third place, etc.) -- does that disqualify it from winning the Dykes Award in the future? What I'm wondering is if Gypsy Lord could be a Dykes Award winner in the future???

Once an iris wins the medal for its class, it becomes eligible for the Dykes Medal. If I remember correctly, it stays on the ballot for three years. I think Gypsy Lord has been on the ballot two years now, so it should have one more chance.

I think that what Lucy said deserves repeating with some comment. Medians are becoming more popular. There will be good ones which will be considered for the Dykes. Votes for the top TBs will be split and that will allow the median to win.

Bottled Sunshine & Bahama Blues tied for the Hager Cup since they are both IBs. I was told not even all the median were in bloom at convention this year since it had to be held a week early. Perhaps someone in the area will write a 'post-convention' report & say what did well later on.