Schreiner's Awards and Achievements

We've had the pleasure of receiving this distinguished medal eleven times. The Irises honored were: Blue Sapphire (1958), Amethyst Flame (1963), Stepping Out (1968), Victoria Falls (1984), Titan's Glory (1988), Dusky Challenger (1992), Silverado (1994), Honky Tonk Blues (1995), Hello Darkness (1999), Yaquina Blue (2001) and Celebration Song (2003).

The Florence Council, in collaboration the the Italian Iris Society, have held an International Iris Competition for tall and bearded irises every year since 1954, with a large presence and international success. The rhizomes of each variety are sent to Florence by hybridizers throughout the world during the period June to September and they are cultivated at the Iris Garden of Piazzale Michelangelo for three years before being judged by an International Jury. The Competition is 'anonymous', that is, each plant entered is labelled with initials so that the Jury knows the name of the variety and of the hybridizer only after having finished judging. A classification of merit is established and some special prizes are awarded on the basis of particular characteristics of the individual variety. The winner of the first prize receives a Gold Fiorin, the gift of the Florence Tourist Organization.

2009: Coming Storm, 5th Honorable Mention

2012: All About Blue, Rora and Luciano Bausi Prize for the Best Blue Variety

2012: Rio Rojo, Giorgio Saviane Prize for the Best Early Variety

2014: Drifting, Premio Firenze (First Place)

For noteworthy achievement in hybridizing, Robert Schreiner was honored with the Perennial Plant Association's Distinguished Service Medal in 1988 and the American Iris Society's Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement.