The Morgan-Wood Medal

History by Clarence Mahan ......................................................related links: Awards

This medal is restricted to Siberian (SIB) irises. It is named in honor of F. Cleveland Morgan (1882-1962) and Ira E. Wood (1903-1977).

F. Cleveland Morgan was a pioneer Canadian breeder of Siberian irises and a founding member of AIS. Some of his magnificent cultivars still enhance gardens around the globe. Three of his best known irises are 'Caezar', 'Caezar's Brother' and ‘Tropic Night'. Educated in England and Switzerland, he was a director of the Henry Morgan Company and a patron of Canadian arts. Morgan's association with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts spanned a period of forty-five years, including 8 years as president of that institution. The museum held a special exhibition in 1961 to display more than six hundred works of art that he had donated.

AIS instituted the Morgan Award for Siberian Irises, the predecessor to the Morgan-Wood Medal, in 1951.

Ira E. Wood, who was known as Sandy to his friends, and his wife Betty were both scientists who worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey. They shared their iris hobby and were active in the activities of AIS and the Society for Siberian Irises. They often undertook iris society projects as a team and one of these was the production of the Handbook for the American Iris Society Members and Officers. The AIS awarded them both the Distinguished Service Medal in 1974.

Wood hybridized Siberian irises, but he introduced only one cultivar 'Ong's Hat.' He also served as a director of AIS and as its second vice president.

List of Morgan-Wood Medal winners - Siberian (SIB) Irises:
(Since 1985 - from 1952 through 1984, see lower: Morgan-Wood Award)

	'Banish Misfortune' 2011 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Here be Dragons' 2010 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Ruffles And Flourishes' 2009 - R. Hollingworth
'Fond Kiss' 2008 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Ships Are Sailing' 2007 - M. Schafer & J Sacks	'Riverdance' 2006 - M. Schafer & J Sacks	'Where Eagles Dare' 2005 - C. Helsley
'Blueberry Fair' 2004 - R. Hollingworth	'Careless Sally' 2003 - M. Schafer & J Sacks	'Lake Keuka' 2002 - D. Borglum	'Strawberry Fair' 2001 - R. Hollingworth

2000 - 'Over In Gloryland' - R. Hollingworth	1999 - 'Roaring Jelly' - M. Schafer & J Sacks	1998 - 'Frosted Cranberry' - A.M. Miller
1997 - 'Coronation Anthem' - R. Hollingworth	1996 - 'Shaker's Prayer' - C. Warner	1995 - 'Aqua Whispers' - A.M. Miller
1994 - 'Sultan's Ruby' - R. Hollingworth	1993 - 'Jewelled Crown' - R. Hollingworth	1992 - 'Lady Vanessa' - R. Hollingworth
1991 - 'Mabel Coday' - C. Helsley	1990 - 'King Of Kings' - S.Varner	1989 - 'Dance Ballerina Dance' - S. Varner
1988 - 'Pink Haze' - W. McGarvey	1987 - 'Steve Varner' - H. Briscoe	1986 - 'Butter And Sugar' - C. McEwen

1984 - 'Pink Haze' - W. McGarvey	1983 - 'Ann Dasch' - S. Varner	1982 - 'Steve Varner' - H. Briscoe
1981 - 'Butter And Sugar' - C. McEwen	1980 - 'Ruffled Velvet' - C. McEwen	1979 - 'Augury' - W. McGarvey
1978 - 'Silver Edge' - C. McEwen	1977 - 'Vi Luihn' - S. DuBose	1976 - 'Orville Fay' - C. McEwen
1975 - 'Halcyon Seas' - F. McCord	1974 - 'Grand Junction' - F. McCord	1973 - 'Swank' - B. Hager
1972 - 'Ego' - W. McGarvey	1971 - 'Super Ego' - W. McGarvey	1970 - 'Dewful' - W. McGarvey
1969 - 'Velvet Night' - P. Edwards	1968 - 'Pirouette' - Cassebeer	1967 - 'Blue Brilliant' - Cassebeer
1966 - 'Cool Spring' - W. Kellogg	1965 - 'Violet Flare' - Cassebeer	1964 - 'Tealwood' - S. Varner
1963 - 'Snowcrest' - Gage	1962 - 'White Swirl' - Cassebeer	1954 - 'Tropic Night' - F. C. Morgan
1953 - 'Caesar's Brother' - F. C. Morgan	1952 - 'Tycoon' - F. Cleveland	1952 - 'Eric The Red' - Whitney

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