2023 Awards & Recognition
At each year’s convention, a number of awards are presented. These awards represent not only the very best plants and leaf show presentations, but outstanding services and activities that have occurred during the previous year. In addition, the gardens that were on tour receive a recognition award.
A full review of awards are published in the Online Journal, and photos can be seen in The Hosta Journal (Fall Print Edition).
2023 Benedict Garden Performance Award
The 2023 Benedict Medal was awarded at the AHS convention in Ames, Iowa. The winner received the most votes from cultivars that advanced to the Benedict category by members of the American Hosta Society. It is a hosta that performs well in gardens in all regions.
The winner for 2023 is a tie!
H. ‘Clear Fork River Valley’ (Van Wade – 2007)
H. ‘Neptune’ (Hans Hansen – 2006)
AHS members can use your Members Password to log in and read the 2023 Online Journal to view photos of all the Benedict Garden Performance Award of Merit and Honorable Mention winners.
2023 Benedict Garden Performance Awards of Merit
- ‘First Blush’ (Bob Solberg – 2016)
- ‘Halcyon’ (Eric Smith – 1988)
- ‘Spilt Milk’ (Mildred Seaver – 1999)
2023 Benedict Garden Performance Honorable Mention Awards
- ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ (Kevin Vaughn – 1982)
- ‘Guacamole’ (Bob Solberg – 1994)
- ‘Joy Ride’ (Hans Hansen – 2016)
Benedict Garden Awards Explained
Honorable Mention Award
The Honorable Mention Award is the first award to be presented for superior garden performance. The list of Honorable Mention nominees each year will consist of hosta cultivars that are nominated by their originators or by the Board of Directors of the American Hosta Society, and that have been registered for at least three years prior to the year of nomination. A hosta cultivar is to be considered registered on the date of approval of the registration by the Registrar.
Award of Merit
The Award of Merit is the second highest Garden Performance Award offered by The American Hosta Society. It is selected from previous Honorable Mention Award winners. Each cultivar awarded an Honorable Mention Award becomes eligible for the Award of Merit.
Benedict Medal for Garden Performance
The Benedict Medal is the highest Garden Performance Award offered by The American Hosta Society. The award is named in honor of Dr. Herb Benedict, a pioneer in hosta hybridizing. It is selected from previous Award of Merit winners. Each cultivar awarded an Award of Merit becomes eligible to receive the Benedict Medal
Benedict Performance Awards Plan
View the purpose, criteria, and complete nomination information for the Benedict Performance Award.
NOTE: Only AHS members can submit nominations.
Alex J. Summers Awards
These awards were established in 1982 in honor of one of the founding members and first president of The American Hosta Society, Alex J. Summers of Bridgeville, Delaware.
2023 Recipient: Joshua Spece
H. ‘Country Confessions’
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
This award is the highest award offered by The American Hosta Society. It is awarded to a member of the Society in recognition of having given outstanding service to The American Hosta Society, the development of the genus Hosta, or both.
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta
This award is for a hosta of distinguished merit and is selected by the recipient of the Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award. The selected hosta’s merit is detailed in the acceptance address of the AJS Distinguished Merit Award recipient, and the name of the hosta appears on the recipient’s plaque.
Visit the Members Only section of our website for official nomination forms.
H. 'Country Confessions' (Joshua Spece)
Winners of the Alex J. Summers Awards
View Award Recipients By Year
2023
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Joshua Spece
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Country Confessions’
2022
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Sandie Markland
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Michael’s Mud Pie’
2021
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Janet Mills
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Lakeside Paisley Print’
2019
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Cindy Tomashek
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Piedmont Honey’
2018
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Steve Greene
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Reflected Glory’
2017
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Mike Shadrack
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Mike Shadrack’
2016
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Larry Tucker
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Elvis Lives’
2015
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Claudia Walker
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘One Man’s Treasure’
2014
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Kim Larsen
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Minnesota Mafia’
2013
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Tom Micheletti
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Thank You’
2012
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Barbara Jones
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Liberty’
2011
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Harold McDonell
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Split Milk’
2010
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Bob Axmear
2009
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Mary Schwartzbauer
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Her Eyes Were Blue’
2008
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Don Dean
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Silver Bay’
2007
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Dr. James Wilkins
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Dorothy Benedict’
2006
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
C.H. Falstad, III
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. plantaginea ‘Venus’
2005
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Kevin Walek
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Guardian Angel’
2004
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Dr. Robert C. Olson
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Bridegroom’
2003
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Robert M. Solberg
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Corkscrew’
2002
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Van R. Wade
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘American Halo’
2001
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Mark R. Zilis
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Krossa Regal’
2000
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Mervin C. Eisel
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘June’
1999
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Kevin Vaughn
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Breeder’s Choice’
1998
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Nancy Minks
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Alvantine Taylor’
1997
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Clyde Crockett
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. nigrescens
1996
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
W. George Schmid
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. laevigata
1994
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Robert Savory
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Golden Tiara’
1990
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Jim Cooper
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Sum & Substance’
1989
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Eldren Minks
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Platinum Tiara’
1988
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Mildred Seaver
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Tokudama Aureonebulosa’
1986
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Frances Williams (awarded posthumously)
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Frances Williams’ selected by Caroline Williams
1985
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Warren I. Pollock
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. montana ‘Aureomarginata’
1984
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Peter Ruh
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Antioch’
1982
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award
Alex J. Summers
Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
H. ‘Pearl Lake’ (Henry Payne)
H. 'Cathedral Windows'
Eunice Fisher Merit Awards
These awards were established in 1972 and reestablished in 2006 in honor of a pioneer hosta hybridizer and founding member of The American Hosta Society, Eunice Fisher of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
This award is the highest award offered by The American Hosta Society in recognition of outstanding achievement in hosta hybridizing. It is awarded to a member of the Society who has truly advanced the genus Hosta through hybridization. The recipient receives a large wooden plaque. The sponsor of the award is The American Hosta Society. This honor may be awarded posthumously.
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Merit Hosta Award
This award is for the hosta that the recipient of the Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award selects from among their own hosta hybrids as the recipient’s favorite.
Visit the Members Only section of our website for official nomination forms.
Winners of the Eunice Fisher Awards
View Award Recipients By Year
2023
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Ralph H. (Herb) & Dorothy Benedict (posthumously)
2022
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Rod Kuenster naming H. ‘Cosmic Crocodile’
2021
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Hans Hansen naming H. ‘Diamond Lake’
2019
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Jeroen Linneman naming H. ‘Valley’s Pavlova’
2018
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Bev and Dave Stegeman naming H. ‘Midnight Oil’
2017
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Dr. Douglas E. Beilstein naming H. ‘Cup of Grace’
2016
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Don Dean naming H. ‘Pure Intentions’
2015
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Tony Avent naming H. ‘Branching Out’
2014
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Dr. James Wilkins naming H. ‘Wolverine’
2013
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Olga Petryszyn naming H. ‘Brother Stefan’
2012
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Dr. Kevin Vaughn naming H. ‘Christmas Tree’
2011
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Bob Kuk naming H. ‘Van Wade’
2010
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Dick Ward naming H. ‘Fat Cat’
2009
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
William and Eleanor Lachman naming H. ‘Robert Frost’
2008
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Robert M. Solberg naming H. ‘Ginsu Knife’
2007
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Mary Chastain naming H. ‘Lakeside Cupcake’
2006
Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award
Mildred Seaver naming H. ‘Sea Fire’
2005
Eunice Fisher Award H. montana macrophylla
Garden of Sue and Dave Mills
2003
Eunice Fisher Award H. ‘Lakeside Lollipop’
Garden of Floyd & Carolyn Broussard
2002
Eunice Fisher Award H. montana macrophylla
Garden of Alan and Susan Tower
2001
Eunice Fisher Award H. ‘Canadian Shield’
Garden of Graham Ray
2000
Eunice Fisher Award H. ‘Cutting Edge’
Garden of Hideko Gowan
1998
Eunice Fisher Award H. ‘Northern Halo’
Debbie Dietrich
1997
Eunice Fisher Award H. ‘Satin Beauty’
Garden of Emily and Gilbert Daniels
1994
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Green Piecrust” Zoercher Garden
1990
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Black Hills’ Savory
1988
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Big John’ Clarence Owens
1986
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Antioch’ Tompkins-Ruh-Hofer
1982
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Sea Monster’ Mildred Seaver
1980
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Gold Standard’ Pauline Banyai
1978
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Piedmont Gold’ Henry Payne
1976
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Francee’ Minnie Klopping
1974
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Krossa Regal’ Gus Krossa
1973
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Green Acres’ Julia Geissler
1972
Eunice Fisher Award (Best registered large leaf cultivar-awarded to the hybridizer/introducer)
H. ‘Starburst’ Mervin Eisel
American Hosta Society Lifetime Achievement Award
Recipients of this award are selected by the President to reward outstanding, long time service to the AHS on the national level.
American Hosta Society Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
2014 – Peter Ruh
2016 – W. George Schmid
2017 – Van Wade
2018 – Dr. Warren Pollock
2019 – Dr. Bob Olson
American Hosta Society Service Pin
To qualify for a Service Pin a volunteer should serve the Society for two full terms or four years.
“The society is a group of people that came together for the common interest in hosta. It is the people that serve it in so many ways that keep the society going. This service is considered very important and of value to the society thus the desire to recognize that service is clearly understood and supported.”
President’s Wall of Honor
Each year, individuals from around the country make incredible contributions to their local societies. We thank them for their service and for helping their local organizations thrive. Local clubs can nominate two recipients each year to honor their service. Learn more and view annual recipients by clicking the button below.
Thank you!
I hope we say it dozens of times everyday. Sometimes it’s for something small, sometimes something big. Often we say it in such a casual way that it doesn’t mean much. The American Hosta Society is a society of volunteers. From the clerks in the Hosta Show to the president of the society, no one gets paid. The society is supported on the shoulders of its members.
The Awards of the American Hosta Society are how we say “Thank you” to the members who have sometimes worked a lifetime in service to the genus Hosta. We say it in a big way, with the heartfelt emotion of friends who recognize the sacrifice of time and energy made by our members.
Curious how awards are granted?