Then I guess they named it right Arlyn, Vicrtoria Falls!

LOL!!

Now Cook-Douglas Medal for SDBs has more reps in this garden. I won't list them however--too late at night for me to think.

My Dykes Medal Winners has included:
That”s All Folks 2013
Florentine Silk 2012
Drama Queen 2011
Paul Black 2010
Golden Panther 2009
Starwoman 2008
Queen's Circle 2007
Splashacata 2005
Crowned Heads 2004
Celebration Song 2003
Mesmerize r 2002
Yaquina Blue 2001
Stairway to Heaven 2000
Hello Darkness 1999
Conjuration 1998
Thornbird 1997
Before The Storm 1996
Honky Tonk Blues 1995
Silverado 1994
Edith Wolford 1993
Dusky Challenger 1992
Jesse's Song 1990
Titan's Glory 1988
Beverly Sills 1985
Victoria Falls 1984
Vanity 1982
Mystique 1980
Mary Frances 1979
Babbling Brook 1972
Stepping Out 1968
Blue Sapphire 1958
Sable Night 1955
The Red Douglas 1941
Wabash 1940
Rosy Wings 1939
Copper Lustre 1938
Missouri 1937
Mary Geddes 1936

however, Starwoman, Mesmerizer, and Beverly Sills did not survive last winter.

Sorry to hear that about Beverly Sills. That one is my most reliable. It multiplies well also.
It is great news that Maryott's iris won the Dykes!

Dennis -- your list of Dykes is amazing!

You've share so many with me over the years -- I can replace your Beverly Sills next year, if you like?

Mary Ann,
Yes, I would appreciate getting Beverly Sills again. I've purchased Starwoman twice, and both times it has not survived-will not attempt to get it again. A great number of the pre-2004 Dykes winners I managed to purchase at the annual Mo Bot Garden iris sale in St. Louis in 2006 when they completely re-worked their Dykes Medal display.

Which Dykes do you grow that are superior, all round plants? I think that would be a good thing to know for us that want to grow a smaller amount.

I would love to visit the St Louis B Garden when the iris are blooming! It is such a nice place.

All of them from the last 10-12 years have been outstanding performers here, in addition to Beverly Sills, Mary Frances, Edith Wolford, Dusky Challenger, Conjuration, Hello Darkness. Vanity always seems to get a blue ribbon at our shows, and it's a good grower too. We have a special prize for best pink iris, so pinks are well-represented in our area! Gotta love the pink iris.
As I read through the list of Dykes winners, I nod my head and think, yes, those are the finest iris in my yard. The iris judges do a good job selecting award winners. Victoria Falls is the exception...out here, at least, it can't stand up to the wind at all, so I don't grow it any more.
The MoBot is a great place to take notes and make wish lists! The Greater Kansas City iris society has a nice display at Powell Gardens, too. Our club maintains one at Botanica, in Wichita. We change out the iris in the display every year! We do have a Dykes display.

Hey Teresa -- let's make it a day-trip next year!!??

Vanity is a fantastic grower, it was on the top of the popularity poll for some years. However, gardeners should keep an eye on the foliage which can become very ratty.

That sounds very intriguing! Wonder when their peak bloom time would be in St Louis?

Is STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN a Dykes? I love it but it always falls after a rain

Stairway to Heaven won Dykes 2000

Has to be close to ours Teresa. When the time gets near next Spring, we could call and ask!

Strange -- I haven't noticed a problem with Stairway to Heaven after a rain............

It does very well in our area.

Hmm, it doesn't do it every time but enough that I noticed.

Wow, so beautiful! I'm afraid I only have two so far: Pink Taffeta and Thornbird. Just realised Orinoco Flow is a British Dykes winner, I have that one too. There seem to be many other awards, I assume Dykes must be the most prestigious?

I now have these on the way to me!

Drama Queen
Honky Tonk Blues

Dykes is really given by the British Iris society on AIS recommendation. It is the top.

Celebration Song

Gypsy Lord

Starwoman

Stairway to Heaven

Ola Kala

My 2018 blooms also include: Florentine Silk, Crowned heads, Yaquina Blue, Honky Tonk Blues, Everything Plus, New Moon, Stepping Out, and Bride's Halo.