2020 Dallas Show – ADS National Daffodil Show Award Winners

The American Daffodil Society’s 2020 national show was held in Dallas, Texas March 13 and 14. Because Dallas is in the southern, hence warmer, area of the U.S., the show date was earlier than most of the local daffodil shows in the U.S. This turned out to be fortunate because most local shows after this date were canceled due to spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Many events were canceled and businesses closed in order to reduce human interactions that might spread the disease.

44 exhibitors made 940 entries for a total of 1824 stems. This post presents photos of all the ADS daffodil award winners in the show. (Please excuse the shadows resulting from two small lights.) The photography division is not covered, but I can tell you there were 30 photographers entering 138 photos. Melanie Paul’s photo “A Salute to Ansel Adams” won the Wells Knierim Ribbon, and Colleen McKenzie’s “Rise Up” won the Youth Photography Ribbon. If an ADS daffodil award is not mentioned below, it means it was not awarded. As you’ll see from the photos, the judges were lenient. We’ll go through the awards in the order in which they’re listed in the official show report.

The Gold Ribbon is awarded to the best standard daffodil in the show, excluding the Container-Grown and the Challenge Sections. The winner was ‘Magic Lantern’ 1Y-O exhibited by Elise Havens.

The Rose Ribbon is awarded to the best standard seedling exhibited by its originator in the show, excluding the Container-Grown and the Challenge Sections. The winner was seedling 09-92-2 2W-O exhibited by Larry Force.

The Miniature Gold Ribbon is awarded to the best miniature daffodil in the show, excluding the Container-Grown and the Challenge Sections. The winner was ‘Pequenita’ 7Y-Y exhibited by Karen Cogar.

The Miniature Rose Ribbon is awarded to the best miniature seedling exhibited by its originator in the show, excluding the Container-Grown and the Challenge Sections. The winner was seedling 3003 7WWG-GWW exhibited by Bob Spotts.

The White Ribbon is awarded to the best set of 3 standard daffodils in the show. The winner was ‘Mesa Verde’ 12G-GGY exhibited by Larry Force.

The Miniature White Ribbon is awarded to the best set of 3 miniature daffodils in the show. The winner was ‘Itsy Bitsy Splitsy’ 11aY-O exhibited by Jon Kawaguchi.

The Matthew Fowlds Award is for the best, named, standard cyclamineus. The Olive W. Lee Trophy is for the best standard daffodil from Divisions 5, 6, 7, and 8. The winner of both awards was ‘Lemon Silk’ 6YYW-W exhibited by Kathleen Simpson.

The John and Betty Larus Trophy is for the best set of three stems of one miniature daffodil seedling exhibited by its originator. The winner was seedling EF 008 1W-W exhibited by Dave Hardy.

Intermediates are standard, single-floreted, daffodil cultivars in Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 11 whose diameter is typically greater than 50 mm and up to 80 mm. The best intermediate is selected from the Intermediate Section, the Small Growers Section, the Youth Section, and the standard collections. The winner was ‘Ollie’ 2Y-YOR exhibited by Janet Hickman.

The best set of 3 intermediates was ‘Pink China’ 2W-P exhibited by Larry Force.

Historic daffodils are cultivars introduced or in gardens before 1940.  The John Van Beck Award is awarded to the best bloom in the Historic Section. The winner was ‘Avalanche’ 8W-Y (1906) exhibited by Karla McKenzie.

The best set of 3 in the Historic Section was ‘Thalia’ 5W-W (1916) exhibited by Bonnie McClure.

Classic daffodils are standard daffodils registered between 1940 and 1969 inclusive. The best daffodil in the Classics Section was ‘Jetfire’ 6Y-O (1966) exhibited by Karla McKenzie.

The best single-stem exhibit in the Classics Section was ‘Titmouse’ 2W-YYO (1958) exhibited by Michael and Lisa Kuduk. The Classics Section is unusual in having an award for the best single-stem exhibit and an award for the best stem. It’s possible for a single-stem entry to win both awards, but in this case the best classic was in a collection.

The best set of 3 in the Classics Section was ‘Avalanche’ 8W-Y (1955) exhibited by Diane Ganter. You may have noticed above that ‘Avalanche’ also won the best historic award with the year (1906). This illustrates one of the very fine points in the definition of historics and classics. The year for historics is when they were introduced or in gardens, not the year of registration. The year for classics is the year of registration. ‘Avalanche’ was known to be in gardens by 1906 but it was not registered until 1955; therefore, it is both historic and classic.

The best bloom in the Youth Section was ‘Lone Star’ 2W-W exhibited by Catherine, Hunter, and William Vaughan. These sister and brothers are the children of Carter Vaughan and grandchildren of Janie and David Vaughan. Janie is the niece of Bill Pannill. The Youth Section is for exhibitors 20 years of age or younger.

The best 3-stem exhibit in the Youth Section was ‘Lone Star’ 2W-W exhibited by Catherine, Hunter, and William Vaughan. The bottom flower was the best youth bloom.

The Small Growers Section is for exhibitors who grow no more than 50 different cultivars or species of daffodils. The best bloom in this section was ‘Martinette’ 8Y-O exhibited by Bryan Pike.

The flowers in the best collection of 5 in the Youth Section are:
Back: ‘Salomé’ 2W-PPY, ‘Stratosphere’ 7Y-O, ‘Pink Charm’ 2W-WWP;
Front: ‘Lone Star’ 2W-W, ‘Hagrid’ 2W-Y.
The exhibitors were Catherine, Hunter, and William Vaughan.

The best collection of 5 historic daffodils consists of:
Back: ‘Cragford’ 8W-O (1930), ‘Avalanche’ 8W-Y (1906), ‘Beersheba’ 1W-W (1923);
Front: ‘Sweetness’ 7Y-Y (1939), ‘Trevithian’ 7Y-Y (1927).
The exhibitor was Karla McKenzie. The ‘Avalanche’ in the back row center was the best bloom in the Historic Section.

The best collection of 5 classic daffodils consists of:
Back: ‘Fortissimo’ 2Y-O (1964), ‘Gigantic Star’ 2Y-Y (1960), ‘Accent’ 2W-P (1960);
Front: ‘Ceylon’ 2Y-O (1943), ‘Jetfire’ 6Y-O (1966).
The exhibitor was Karla McKenzie. The ‘Jetfire’ was the best bloom in the Classics Section.

The best connection of 5 intermediate daffodils consists of:
‘Bonnie’s Jewel’ 2Y-YOO, ‘Pinsey’ 3W-GYO, ‘Gillan’ 11aY-YOO, ‘Nikki Koko’ 2W-WYP, ‘Ollie’ 2Y-YOR.
The exhibitor was Janet Hickman. The ‘Ollie’ was the best intermediate bloom.

The Red-White-Blue Ribbon is awarded to the best collection of 5 American-bred standard daffodils. The Purple Ribbon is awarded to the best exhibit of 5 standard daffodils. This entry won both awards. The flowers in the collection are:
‘Protocol’ 6W-W (Mitsch), ‘Emperor’s Waltz’ 6Y-YOO (Mitsch), ‘Vineland’ 6Y-Y (Mitsch), ‘Warbler’ 6Y-Y (Mitsch),
‘Lemon Silk’ 6YYW-W (Mitsch and Havens).
The exhibitor was Karen Cogar.

The Robert Spotts Ribbon is awarded to the best collection of 5 different daffodils where green is the predominant color in either perianth and/or corona. The collection may be 5 standards or 5 miniatures. Flowers in the winning exhibit are:
3006 3WWG-G, 3008 7YYG-GYO, 3009 3YYG-GYY, ‘Mesa Verde’ 12G-GGY, 3007 3WWG-G.
The exhibitor was Bob Spotts.

The Carncairn Trophy is for the best collection of 5 standards bred in Ireland (both the Republic and Northern Ireland). Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Maria Pia’ 11aY-R (Duncan), ‘Chobe River’ 1Y-Y (Duncan), Duncan 3916 2Y-YO (Duncan);
Front: ‘Causeway Sunset’ 2Y-R (Turbitt), ‘Lemon Cocktail’ 1YYW-WWY (Watson).
The exhibitor was Karla McKenzie.

The Dutch Award is not for Dutch-bred daffodils; it was given by the Dutch for 5 different standard daffodil, each registered in a different decade. A decade is the years 0 through 9 (as in 1960 through 1969). Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Beersheba’ 1W-W (1923), ‘Ara’ 6W-Y (2004);
Front: ‘Kimmeridge’ 3W-YYO (1966), ‘Williamsburg’ 2W-W (1970), ‘Doak’s Stand’ 2W-Y (1988).
The exhibitor was Kay Shearer.

The English Award is for the best collection of 5 standards bred in England. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Hot Gossip’ 2Y-O (Pearson), ‘Millennium Sunset’ 2Y-O (Scamp);
Front: ‘Bryanston’ 2Y-Y (Blanchard), ‘Altun Ha’ 2YYW-W (Pearson), ‘Strines’ 2Y-Y (Board).
The exhibitor was Becky Fox Matthews.

The Marie Bozievich class calls for 12 standard daffodils from at least 4 RHS Divisions. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: ‘Tahiti’ 4Y-O, ‘Causeway Sunset’ 2Y-R, ‘Gentle Giant’ 2W-O, ‘Chobe River’ 1Y-Y;
Middle row: ‘Castanets’ 8Y-O, ‘Butterfly Kiss’ 2W-Y, ‘Paddy’s Legacy’ 2W-YYO, ‘Hot Affair’ 2Y-R;
Bottom row: ‘Winter Waltz’ 6W-P, ‘Maria Pia’ 11aY-R, ‘Rapture’ 6Y-Y, ‘Eaton Song’ 12Y-O.
The exhibitor was Karla McKenzie.

The Stars and Stripes class calls for 12 standard daffodils of American breeding from at least 4 RHS Divisions. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: JJ 77/20 8Y-O (Mitsch), ‘Phoenician’ 2W-W (Mitsch/Havens), ‘Southern Hospitality’ 4Y-R (Havens),
‘Oregon Lights’ 2W-O (Havens), ‘Magic Lantern’ 1Y-O (Havens), 2 UH 14/1 6W-W (Havens);
Front: ‘Wings of Freedom’ 6Y-Y (Mitsch), ‘Swift Current’ 5W-P (Mistsch), ‘Arrowhead’ 6Y-R (Havens),
‘Carib’ 6W-P (Mitsch), ‘Rapture’ 6Y-Y (Mitsch), SH 18/1 5Y-Y (Havens).
The exhibitor was Elise Havens. The ‘Magic Lantern’ was the Gold Ribbon winner.

The Harry Tuggle, Jr. class calls for 12 different standard daffodils, 3 stems of each, from at least 3 RHS Divisions. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: ‘Bryanston’ 2Y-Y, ‘Intrigue’ 7Y-W, ‘Crevenagh’ 2Y-GYY, ‘Maker’s Mark’ 1Y-O;
Middle row: ‘Hot Gossip’ 2Y-O, ‘Rose Lake’ 2W-P, ‘Southern Hospitality’ 4Y-R, ‘Surfside’ 6W-Y;
Bottom row: ‘Katrina Rea’ 6W-WOO, ‘Lemon Silk’ 6YYW-W, ‘Treasure Waltz’ 2Y-Y, ‘Rapture 6Y-Y.
The exhibitor was Kathleen Simpson.

The William Bender Award is for the best bloom in the Challenge Section. Flowers in the Challenge Section are exhibited by their hybridizers. Flowers may be grown in any manner deemed appropriate by the exhibitor. This means they could be grown in green houses, not just outdoors as is required for all other sections (except container-grown and miniature daffodils may be grown with some protection). As such, they’re not eligible for the Gold, Rose, Miniature Gold, or Miniature Rose Ribbons. Therefore the Bender Award is for the best bloom in the Challenge Section. The winner was seedling ZH 28/1 1Y-O exhibited by Elise Havens.

The Helen Link Award is for the best set of 3 different cultivars in the Challenge Section. Flowers in the winning entry are:
ZH 28/1 1Y-O, ‘Oregon Lights’ 2W-O, ‘Arrowhead’ 6Y-R.
The exhibitor was Elise Havens. The flower on the left won the Bender Award.

The Miniature Red-White-Blue Ribbon is for the best collection of 5 miniature daffodils of American breeding. The Lavender Ribbon is for the best collection of 5 miniature daffodils. This exhibit won both ribbons. The flowers are:
3001 11aY-Y, 3002 2Y-O, 3003 7WWG-GWW, 3004 2Y-GYY, 3005 2Y-O.
The exhibitor was Bob Spotts. The middle flower won the Miniature Rose Ribbon.

The Delia Bankhead class calls for 9 different miniature daffodils from at least 3 RHS Divisions. The winning exhibit contains:
Back: ‘Oxford Gold’ 10Y-Y, Koopowitz 03-36A 8W-PPO, ‘Leota Mill’ 2Y-YOO, ‘Itsy Bitsy Splitsy’ 11aY-O, ‘White Petticoat’ 10W-W;
Front: ‘Little Flik’ 12Y-Y, JBK 12-07-03 10Y-Y (N. bulb. var. tenuifolius x N. triandrus),
‘Little Rusky’ 7Y-GYO, JBK 17-04-02 10Y-Y (N. bulb. var. nivalis x N. bulb. var. tenuifolius).
The exhibitor was Jon Kawaguchi.

The Roberta Watrous class calls for 12 different miniature daffodils from at least 3 RHS Divisions. The winning exhibit contains:
Back: ‘Mitimoto’ 10W-Y, ‘Tête Bouclé’ 4Y-Y, N. fernandesii 13Y-Y, ‘Odoratus’ 8W-Y, ‘Little Beauty’ 1W-Y, ‘Beesknees’ 8Y-O;
Front: ‘Snipe’ 6W-W, N. minor var. pumilus 13Y-Y, ‘Giselle’ 10W-W, ‘Punk’ 1Y-Y, ‘Fat Rascal’ 12Y-Y, ‘Busbie’ 12Y-Y.
The exhibitor was Janet Hickman.

The Three Miniatures by Hybridizer class calls for three different miniature cultivars hybridized and originated by the exhibitor. The flowers in the winning exhibit are:
JBK 15-14-03 10Y-Y (N. bulb. var. tenuifolius x N. bulb. var. serotinus),
JBK 11-04-01 10Y-Y (N. bulb. var. filifolius x N. bulb. var. nivalis),
JBK 16-06-04 10Y-Y (N. bulb. var. serotinus x N. bulb. var. nivalis).
The exhibitor was Jon Kawaguchi.

The Miniature Bronze class calls for 3 stems each of 5 different miniature daffodils from at least 3 RHS Divisions. Flowers in the winning collection are:
‘Tiny Bubbles’ 12Y-Y, N. jonquilla 13Y-Y, ‘Minnow’ 8W-Y, ‘Hawera’ 5Y-Y, ‘Sundial’ 7Y-Y.
The exhibitor was Kathleen Simpson.

An award for a person rather than for an exhibit is the ADS Silver Ribbon. This goes to the exhibitor who wins the most blue ribbons in horticulture in the show. The winner was Larry Force with 22 blue ribbon winning exhibits.