2023 Atlanta Show – ADS Award Winners

The 2023 American Daffodil Society national daffodil show was held March 10 and 11 at the Crowne Plaza Perimeter Ravinia Hotel whose mailing address is Atlanta, Georgia but which is situated in the city of Dunwoody, adjacent to Atlanta. In Horticulture, 59 exhibitors made 894 entries for a total of 1909 stems. In photography, 14 exhibitors entered 71 photos. Here are photos of the American Daffodil Society award winners, in the order listed in the national daffodil show report. Dark gray backgrounds have been darkened almost to black to let the flowers stand out. If an award is not mentioned here, it means there were no entries for that award.

The Gold Ribbon is awarded to the best standard daffodil in the show, excluding the Container-Grown Section and the ADS Challenge Section. The winner was ‘La Delicatesse’ 2W-W. This cultivar was bred by Carlos van der Veek who attended the show and who, of course, was delighted to see one of his cultivars win the Gold Ribbon. The exhibitor was Kirby Fong.

The Rose Ribbon is awarded to the best standard seedling in the show exhibited by it originator, excluding the Container-Grown Section and the ADS Challenge Section. The winner was seedling 13-94 1W-OOY exhibited by Larry Force.

The Miniature Gold Ribbon is awarded to the best miniature daffodil in the show, excluding the Container-Grown Section and the ADS Challenge Section. The Miniature Rose Ribbon is awarded to the best miniature seedling in the show exhibited by its originator, excluding the Contain-Grown Section and the ADS Challenge Section. The winner of both awards was seedling 07-175-1 9W-O exhibited by Larry Force.

The White Ribbon is awarded to the best set of three standard daffodils in the show. The winner was ‘Gympie’ 1Y-Y exhibited by Steve Hampson.

The Miniature White Ribbon is awarded to the best set of three miniature daffodils in the show. The winner was ‘Xit’ 3W-W exhibited by Dianne Spence.

The Matthew Fowlds Award is for the best named, standard cyclamineus hybrid in the show. The Olive W. Lee Trophy is for the best standard daffodil from Divisions 5, 6, 7, or 8. The winner of both awards was ‘Vineland’ 6Y-Y. The exhibitor was Kirby Fong.

The Grant and Amy Mitsch Trophy is for the best set of three stems of one standard daffodil seedling exhibited by its originator. The winner was seedling C06-1 1Y-Y. The exhibitor was Kathy Welsh.

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 EF50 5Y-O. The exhibitor was Dave Hardy.

The Best Intermediate Ribbon is awarded to the best intermediate daffodil found either in the Intermediates Section or in standard collections. An intermediate daffodil is a standard daffodil whose diameter is typically greater than 50 mm through 80 mm. The winner was ‘Reg Nicholl’ 2Y-YYR which happened to be in a set of three ‘Reg Nicholl’. The exhibitor was Steve Hampson.

Here is ‘Reg Nicholl’ 2Y-YYR the best set of three intermediate daffodils. The lower right flower was the best intermediate in the show. The exhibitor was Steve Hampson.

The Van Beck Award is given to the best bloom in the Historics Section. An historic daffodil is a cultivar registered or in gardens before 1940. The winner was ‘Twink’ 4Y-O (1925). The exhibitor was Larry Force.

The best historic daffodil was the center flower in this set of three that was the best set of 3 historic daffodils. It’s ‘Twink’ 4Y-O (1925) exhibited by Larry Force.

The best bloom in the Classics Section was ‘Slieveboy’ 1Y-Y (1953). A classic daffodil is a standard daffodil registered between 1940 and 1969 inclusive. The winner was one of the flowers in a collection of five classics. The exhibitor was Ceci Brown.

The Classics Section includes classes for single stems, sets of three stems, and a collection of five stems. There’s an award for the best single stem exhibit. The winner was ‘Barrett Browning’ 3WWY-O (1945). The exhibitor was Peggy Bowditch.

The best set of three in the Classics Section was ‘Ceylon’ 2Y-O (1943). The exhibitor was Peggy Bowditch.

The best bloom in the Youth Section was ‘Rapture’ 6Y-Y. It was the bottom flower in a set of three. The exhibitor was Luke Blaylock

And here is the best set of three in the Youth Section – ‘Rapture’ 6Y-Y exhibited by Luke Blaylock.

The best bloom in the Small Growers Section was this flower in a set of three ‘Milena’ 4YYW-YYY exhibited by Anne Cain. The Small Growers Section is limited to exhibitors who grow 50 or fewer cultivars and/or species.

The best standard grown and shown in a container was ‘Sweetness’ 7Y-Y exhibited by Jaydee Ager.

The best miniature grown and shown in a container was ‘White Petticoat’ 10W-W exhibite by Carla Stanley.

The Innovation Medal is awarded to an innovative new daffodil exhibited at the national convention by its hybridizer and raiser, demonstrating significant novelty, advance, or break-through qualities. It may be chosen from a commercial exhibit as well as the show. The winner was seedling EF50 5Y-O shown by Dave Hardy.

The Wells Knierim Ribbon is for the best photo in the Photography Division. The winner was titled ‘Dutch Girl with Daffodils’ exhibited by Ann Owen.

The flowers in the best collection of 5 historic daffodils are:
Back: ‘Croesus’ 2Y-YYO (1912), ‘Red Goblet’ 2Y-O (1937), ‘Geranium’ 8W-O (1930);
Front: ‘Thalia’ 5W-W (1916), ‘Mount Hood’ 1W-W (1938).
The exhibitor was Mary Adams.

The flowers in the best collection of 5 classic daffodils are:
Back: ‘Perimeter’ 3Y-YYO (1956), ‘Slieveboy’ 1Y-Y (1935), ‘Falstaff’ 2Y-O (1960);
Front: ‘Desdemona’ 2W-W (1964), ‘Ruth Haller’ 5Y-Y (1968).
The flower in the middle of the back row was the best bloom in the Classics Section. The exhibitor was Ceci Brown.

The Purple Ribbon is awarded to the best collection of 5 standard daffodils. The best intermediate collection was also the Purple Ribbon winner. The flowers in the best collection of 5 intermediate daffodils are:
Back: ‘My Sweetheart’ 3W-YYR, ‘Runkerry’ 4W-P;
Front: ‘Little Alice’ 4Y-O, ‘Reg Nicholl’ 2Y-YYR, ‘Koop’ 1Y-O.
The exhibitor was Steve Hampson.

The Red-White-Blue Ribbon is awarded to the best collection of 5 American-bred standards. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Apache Tears’ 5WWG-GGO (Spotts), ‘Hermann’ 1Y-Y (Reed), Spotts 23-100 3W-O (Spotts);
Front: ‘Perky, 1970’ 6W-Y (Mitsch), ‘Pleasant Hollow’ 6Y-O (Reed).
The exhibitor was Karen Cogar.

The Robert Spotts Ribbon is awarded to the best collection of five different standard or five different miniature cultivars, one stem each with green the predominant color in either the perianth and/or the corona. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Loyce’s Memory’ 9WWG-GGR, ‘Lima’s Winter Moon’ 7WWG-GWW, 23-312 3Y/G-GGO;
Front: 23-108 5Y-GGO, 23-240 7G-G.
The exhibitor was Bob Spotts.

The New Zealand Award is for the best collection of 5 standard daffodils bred in New Zealand. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Tayforth Gem’ 2W-W (Hughes), ‘Billy the Kid’ 2Y-R (Ramsay), ‘Whitford Sunset’ 1W-O (Hamilton);
Front: ‘Pirongia Tulle’ 2Y-YYO (G. & F. Miller), ‘Scout’s Honour’ 1Y-Y (Ramsay).
The exhibitors were Mitch and Kate Carney.

The Northern Ireland Award is for the best collection of 5 standard daffodils bred in Northern Ireland. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Maria Pia’ 1W-Y (Duncan), ‘Lennymore’ 2Y-R (Duncan), ‘Temba’ 1Y-Y (Duncan);
Front: ‘Olly’s Medal’ 1W-Y (Duncan), ‘Janet’s Gold’ 2Y-Y (Watson).
The exhibitor was Susan Basham.

The Dutch Award honors its Dutch donor. The class is for 5 standard daffodils of any origin from five different decades beginning with a zero and ending with a nine (e.g. 1960-1969). Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Ceylon’ 2Y-O (1943), ‘Equation’ 11aY-O (1997), ‘Brackenhurst’ 2Y-O (1977);
Front: ‘Wild Rover’ 1Y-R (2012), ‘Hot Gossip’ 2Y-O (1987).
The exhibitor was Peggy Bowditch.

The Havens collection class calls for 12 standard daffodils from at least three Division 5 through 10. The flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: ‘Castanets’ 8Y-O, Koopowitz 2006-002-1 7G-GGW, ‘Miss Meliss’ 8W-Y, de Winter JDW 904 6Y-P;
Middle row: ‘Sydling’ 5W-GWW, de Winter JDW 3000 6Y-P, ‘Mary Quarles’ 9W-YYR, ‘Skater’s Waltz’ 6Y-Y;
Bottom row: ‘Whitford Supreme’ 9W-GYR, ‘Churchfield Bells’ 5Y-Y, ‘Arrowhead’ 6Y-R, ‘Phalarope’ 6W-Y.
The exhibitors were Steve Hampson and Harold Koopowitz.

The Bozievich collection class calls for 12 standard daffodils from at least four RHS Division. The flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: ‘Macdalla’ 1W-Y, ‘Velvet Chord’ 2Y-O, ‘Gull’ 2W-GWW, ‘Biggin Hill’ 4Y-Y;
Middle row: ‘Rockin’ Goose’ 2O-O, de Winter JDW 904 6Y-P, ‘Impeccable’ 2Y-Y, ‘Bramcote Daybreak’ 1W-Y;
Bottom row: ‘Janet’s Gold’ 2Y-Y, ‘Muster’ 4W-O, ‘Reg Nicholl’ 2Y-YYR, ‘Split Gem’ 11aY-Y.
The exhibitor was Steve Hampson.

The Throckmorton class calls for 15 standard daffodils from 15 different RHS classifications. A classification is a division and a color code. The flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: ‘Moon Madness’ 3W-Y, ‘Bramcote Star’ 2Y-O, ‘Maelstrom’ 4W-P, ‘Chetwynd’ 1Y-Y, ‘Macdalla’ 1W-Y;
Middle row: ‘Desmond’ 2Y-R, ‘Trigonometry’ 11aW-P, ‘Janet’s Gold’ 2Y-Y, ‘Oops’ 2W-Y, ‘Crowndale’ 4Y-O;
Bottom row: ‘Colin’s Joy’ 2W-GWR, ‘Tamar Fire’ 4Y-R, ‘Best Friend’ 3Y-YYO, ‘Marion Pearce’ 11aY-YYO, ‘New Kid’ 3W-YYR.

The Stars and Stripes collection class calls for 12 standard American-bred cultivars from at least 4 RHS divisions. The flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: ‘Replete’ 4W-P (Evnans), ‘Curly Lace’ 11aY-Y (Heath), ‘Cinnamon Ring’ 3W-WWO (Reed), ‘Miss Primm’ 2Y-Y (Dorwin);
Middle row: ‘Golden Echo’ 7WWY-Y (Heath), ‘Bittern’ 12Y-O (Mitsch), ‘Kokopelli’ 7Y-Y (Spotts), ‘Falconet’ 8Y-R (Mitsch);
Bottom row: ‘Winter Waltz’ 6W-P (Mitsch), ‘Straight Arrow’ 6Y-R (Mitsch), ‘Rapture’ 6Y-Y (Mitsch), ‘Sailboat’ 7W-W (Pannill).
The exhibitor was Stacey Wilson.

The Quinn collection class calls for 24 standard daffodils from at least 5 RHS divisions. The flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: ‘Best Friend’ 3Y-YYO, ‘Moon Madness’ 2W-Y, ‘Online’ 2Y-Y, ‘Hartlebury’ 3W-ORR, ‘Sherborne’ 4Y-Y, ‘Chanson’ 1W-P;
2nd row: ‘Colin’s Joy’ 2W-GWR, ‘Desmond’ 2Y-R, ‘Maelstrom’ 4W-P, ‘Rebecca’s Fire’ 2Y-YYO, ‘Bramcote Ice’ 2W-W, ‘Emma-Jane’ 2W-Y;
3rd row: ‘Qiyanna Raine’ 4Y-O, ‘Trigonometry’ 11aW-P, ‘College Road’ 2Y-P, ‘Hyperbole’ 2W-R, ‘Maria Pia’ 11aY-R, ‘Truculent’ 3W-WWY;
Bottom row: ‘My Sweetheart’ 3W-YYR, Postles CPS 313 2Y-O, ‘Oops’ 2W-Y, ‘Impeccable’ 2Y-Y, ‘Cherrygardens’ 2W-GPP, de Winter JDW 904 6Y-P.
The exhibitor was Steve Hampson.

The William Bender Ribbon is awarded to the best daffodil in the ADS Challenge Section. This section has classes for daffodils bred and originated by the exhibitor and allows flowers to be grown with protection (e.g. in a greenhouse). Except for miniatures and container-grown daffodils, standards are required to be grown outdoors since the daffodil is considered a garden plant. Thus, standards in the ADS Challenge Section are not eligible for the Gold or Rose Ribbons. The winner of the Bender Ribbon is ‘Apache Tears’ 5WWG-GGO exhibited by Bob Spotts.

The Helen Link Award is for the best exhibit in the class for 3 different cultivars in the ADS Challenge Section. The flowers in the winning exhibit are:
Left to right: ‘Mesquite’ 2Y-Y, ‘Apache Tears’ 5WWG-GGO, ‘Cactus Blossom’ 2W-Y.
The exhibitor was Bob Spotts.

The Murray Evans Trophy is for the best exhibit in the class for 6 different cultivars in the ADS Challenge Section. The flowers in the winning exhibit are:
Left to right: EF131 2Y-Y, EF107 6W-W, EF108 1W-W, EF50 5Y-O, EF130 2Y-Y, EF45 6Y-Y.
The exhibitor was Dave Hardy. Note that the ADS Challenge Section allows both miniature and standard daffodils.

The Miniature Red-White-Blue Ribbon is for the best collection of 5 American-bred miniature daffodils. The flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: 2013-001-1 2W-O (Koopowitz), 2017-023-1 2Y-O (Koopowitz), 2012-104-1 (Koopowitz);
Front: 2013-001-1 2W-YOO (Koopowitz), 2019-102-6 (Koopowitz).
The exhibitor was Harold Koopowitz.

The Lavender Ribbon is for the best collection of 5 miniature daffodils. The flowers in the winning collection are:
Back: ‘Happy Days’ 6Y-Y, ‘Snipe’ 6W-W, ‘Heidi’s Sister’ 6Y-Y;
Front: ‘Little Dryad’ 6W-W, ‘Wee Dote’ 1W-Y.
The exhibitors were Mitch and Kate Carney.

The Bankhead collection class calls for 9 miniature daffodils from at least 3 RHS divisions. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back row: ‘Norwester’ 6Y-Y, 73-11-16 1W-Y (‘Wee Bee’ x ‘Lilliput’), 73-11-15 1W-Y (‘Wee Bee’ x ‘Lilliput’), ‘Mite’ 6Y-Y;
Front row: N. jonquilla var. henriquesii 13Y-Y, ‘Tete-a-Tete’ 12Y-Y, N. fernandesii var. cordubensis 13Y-Y, 1915 1Y-Y, Hunter JAH 13/98/A 7Y-Y.
The exhibitor was Mary Lou Gripshover.

The Watrous collection class calls for 12 miniature daffodils from at least 3 RHS divisions. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Top row: 10-76-03 8W-P, 10-81-01 8Y-Y, 10-77-02 8W-P, 08-76-04 1Y-Y, 10-82 8W-P;
Middle row: 07-175-1 9W-O, 19-02 6Y-Y, 11-22 6W-W, ‘Pequenita’ 7Y-Y;
Bottom row: N. cyclamineus 13Y-Y, 19-44 1W-W, 19-01 6Y-W.
The exhibitor was Larry Force.

The Koopowitz collection class calls for 24 miniature daffodils from at least 5 RHS divisions. Flowers in the winning collection are:
Back row: 2006-027-1 5W-W, 2008-078-1 8Y-O, X-24-2 12G-G, 2011-040-1 4W-O, 2011-011-1 6Y-Y, 2017-034-1 4W-O, 2007-049-3 8W-P, ‘Itsy Bitsy Splitsy’ 11aY-O, 99-114-4 2W-P;
Middle row: 2006-027-3 5Y-Y, 2009-042-3 8P-YYP, 99-84-2 11aY-O, 2012-088-4 8Y-W, 2012-062-1 4W-W, 2003-036-9 8W-P, X-54-16 2Y-Y, 2012-104-4 11aW-W;
Front row: 2008-056-3 10Y-Y, 2019-102-2 10Y-Y, 2012-104-1 11aW-Y, 2017-023-1 2Y-O, 2015-072-1 7G-G, X-116-3 8Y-O, 2017-023-3 2Y-O.
The exhibitor was Harold Koopowitz.

There are classes for 3, 6, and 12 miniatures hybridized and originated by the exhibitor and an ADS award for the best exhibit in each of these classes. Flowers in the class for 3 miniatures by the hybridizer are:
Left to right: 2008-037-2 2Y-O, 99-114-6 2W-P, ‘Itsy Bitsy Splitsy’ 11aY-O.
The exhibitor was Harold Koopowitz.

The winning exhibit of 6 miniatures by the hybridizer consisted of:
Left to right: 2003-036-17 8W-P, 2019-102-7 10Y-Y, 2012-085-21 8Y-W, 2019-102-12 10Y-Y, 2015-072-3 7G-Y, 2003-020-1 8Y-O.
The exhibitor was Harold Koopowitz.

The winning exhibit of 12 miniatures by the hybridizer consisted of:
Back row: 2012-018-2 8W-P, ‘Xica’ 11aY-Y, 2012-065-14 8Y-W, 2011-040-1 4W-O, 2012-065-12 8Y-Y;
Middle row: 2003-020-1 8Y-YYO, 2009-042-3 8P-YYP, 2012-065-7 8Y-W, 2003-036-9 8W-P;
Front row: ‘Itsy Bitsy Splitsy’ 11aY-O, 2019-102-2 10Y-Y, 2009-012-2 11aY-Y.
The exhibitor was Harold Koopowitz.

The Miniature Bronze collection calls for 3 stems each of 5 different miniatures from at least 3 RHS divisions. The winning collection consisted of:
Back row: 2012-085-8 8W-W, 2009-012-2 11aY-Y, 2006-027-10 5W-W;
Front row: 2008-050-5 5Y-Y, 2012-085-9 8Y-Y.
The exhibitor was Harold Koopowitz.

And that concludes photos of the ADS award winning exhibits. One final award goes not to an exhibit but to the person who won the most blue ribbons in the Horticulture Division. The ADS Silver Ribbon goes to Larry Force who won 24 blue ribbons.