Re: CAT: Phil William comments

Bill Shear wrote:
> 
> A more pertinent (and perhaps impertinent) question is--why did Thornbird
> win the Dykes Medal? 
Why does any iris win the Dykes Medal!  Popularity, period.  I wish each
class could win the "Dykes", but since that's not the case.....When the
judge, visiting many gardens,(????) using the Handbook(???) looks at an
iris, and hopefully point scores that cultivar, (over a period of
years), he/she should come up with the best.  At least THORNBIRD
received, in my book, a full set of points for an item that NO iris
since BROWN LASSO has or should have received; DISTINCTIVENESS!  From 50
paces you can't see the differences in BEV SILLS & VANITY, BEFORE THE
STORM & DUSKY CHALLENGER or DEBBY RAIRDON & BRIDE'S HALO.  (Remember I
said 50 paces.)  Anyone can tell WABASH and THORNBIRD anywhere.


> It strikes me as a very undistinguished, - No Bill, it's just you don't like the color!

Compared to the many magnificent irises that have won the medal in the
past 20 years, it's
> a real dog.

OK - Let's see....BEV SILLS, EDITH WOLFORD & SILVERADO is a biannual
bloomer.....KILT LILT...forget it (OH, that's past 20 years)...VIC FALLS
- well you know (Bow Wow) MYSTIQUE blooms short - in the leaves (if at
all).
The only ones I would call good - because they act like a Dykes
contenter is: THORNBIRD, JESSE'S SONG, STEPPING OUT, BROWN LASSO, MARY
FRANCES, & SONG OF NORWAY.

Since I have removed 90+% of the TB's from my garden - what I have left
is only a couple of Dykes Medal winners - THORNBIRD is one.  It is the
most asked for iris I have ever had.

Here is a good chance to challange everyone to become a Judge - attend
Conventions - receive training - PROPER TRAINING - and learn to put
personal taste aside.  In my opinion, that is what's wrong with AIS
Awards now - TOO MUCH PERSONAL TASTE - and not going by the "BOOK". 
(Let's see - how many points for "Falling Down" - 10?)

Happy Irising :-)

Dennis Stoneburner - Roanoke, VA  Zone 6-7 sorta
going back outside to look at the IB's and SDB's blooming.....and
everything else.....OH how lovely!
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