I don't know how to respond to this question. I think it's a very close race between the 5 Paul mentioned. I think Tom Johnson is an up and comer in the iris world. He is young, and quite successful already. I am thinking only of the active hybridizers, not those who are no longer making crosses for one reason or another. I agree that George Sutton produced some really great ones in his life time. I think his son has picked up the baton and will do great things too. I think we need them all. All of the current hybridizers are owing to those who made progress in the past generations, so as future generations of hybridizers will move beyond the current top ones. Tastes will change, and styles will change, and colors will be developed in the future based on the work of the past and present genetics. IMHO
