THE MITCHELL MEDAL WINNERS
By 1996, there were more than 800
named varieties of Pacific Coast Native Iris. Some originated from unique plants
- species or natural hybrids - found growing in the wild. But most were created
through deliberate crossings by breeders trying to develop new iris with
characteristics they considered desirable (like colorful flowers, longer
blooming season, resistance to disease, more flowers per plant, or evergreen
leaves).
The Mitchell Medal recognizes success in the
hybridizer's craft - - the year's single best new variety of Pacific Coast
Native Iris. It is the highest award for excellence given by the American Iris
Society to a Pacifica iris.
Sydney B. Mitchell was the first
president of the California Horticultural Society, an author of several
gardening books, and one of the earliest to urge the use of native plants in
home gardens.
| 1973 Ojai, M. Walker | 1974 Amiguita, E. Nies |
| 1975 Native Warrior, S.A. Phillips | 1976 Western Queen, G Stambach |
| 1977 Sierra Sapphire, L. Lenz | 1978 Canyon Snow, D. Emery |
| 1979 Los Gatos, Joseph Ghio | 1980 Soquel Cove, Joseph Ghio |
| 1981 Restless Native, Joseph Ghio | 1982 Councilman, Joseph Ghio |
| 1983 Santa Rita, Joseph Ghio | 1984 City Hall, Joseph Ghio |
| 1986 Big Wheel, Joseph Ghio | 1987 Simply Wild, Joseph Ghio |
| 1989 California Mystique, Joseph Ghio | 1991 Drive You Wild, Joseph Ghio |
| 1992 Mimsey, V. Wood | 1995 Sierra Dell, L. Lawyer |
| 1996 Idylwild, Joseph Ghio | 1997 Night Editor, Joseph Ghio |
| 1998 Pacific Rim, B. Jones | 1999 Chief Sequoia, John Weiler |
| 2000 Pink Cupid, Vernon Wood | 2001 Jean Erickson, Colin Rigby |
| 2002 Sea Gal, Lois Belardi | 2003 Sea Admiral, Vernon Wood |
| 2004 Raspberry Dazzler, Vernon Wood | 2005 Sierra Azul, Joseph Ghio |
| 2006 Cozumel, Joseph Ghio | 2007 Pacific Miss, Lois Belardi |
Here is a gallery sample of Mitchell award recipients. Some have gone on to become favorite plants for landscaping projects.
 1977. Sierra Sapphire (Lenz) |
 1978. Canyon Snow (Emery) |
 1987. Simply Wild (Ghio) |
 1991. Drive You Wild (Ghio) |
 1992. Mimsey (Wood) |
 1995. Sierra Dell (Lawyer) |
 1996. Idylwild (Ghio) |
 1998. Pacific Rim(Jones) |
 2006. Cozumel (Ghio) |
 2007. Pacific Miss (Belardi) |