Ned Roberts Spider / Unusual Form Award

awarded at the national convention

This award, established in 2007 and first awarded in 2008, is to honor the memory of hybridizer, Ned Roberts. Ned worked tirelessly to promote these daylily forms, acting as an educator and mentor for both collectors and hybridizers. The award is to be given annually at the AHS National Convention for the most outstanding Spider or Unusual Form cultivar blooming in a clump in a convention tour garden, as voted by attending AHS members. The hybridizer of the winning cultivar will receive a certificate and a perpetual trophy, which is an engraved Nambe tray donated by the family of the late Ned Roberts. Region 9 administers this award, including counting ballots, presenting the award, and arranging transportation.

Award Winners

Ocean Spirit
Ocean Spirit
Award Year: 2025
Votes: 25
Hybridizer: Murphy-J.P.
Green It Up
Green It Up
Award Year: 2024
Hybridizer: Lopp-T.
Mean Green
Mean Green
Award Year: 2023
Votes: 67
Hybridizer: Judy Davisson
Pumpkin Britches
Pumpkin Britches
Award Year: 2022
Votes: 162
Hybridizer: Simpson-E.
Firefly Frenzy
Firefly Frenzy
Award Year: 2021
Votes: 30
Hybridizer: Jan Joiner
Jazz at the Wool Club
Jazz at the Wool Club
Award Year: 2019
Votes: 25
Hybridizer: Daniel Bachman
Breathing in Snowflakes
Breathing in Snowflakes
Award Year: 2018
Hybridizer: Heidi Douglas
Banana Smoothie
Banana Smoothie
Award Year: 2017
Votes: 28
Hybridizer: Terah S. George
Walt Lowry
Walt Lowry
Award Year: 2016
Votes: 39
Hybridizer: Sandra (Sandy) Holmes
Green Inferno
Green Inferno
Award Year: 2015
Votes: 39
Hybridizer: James Gossard
White Eyes Pink Dragon
White Eyes Pink Dragon
Award Year: 2014
Votes: 26
Hybridizer: James Gossard
Scarlet Pimpernel
Scarlet Pimpernel
Award Year: 2013
Votes: 26
Hybridizer: Ripley
White Eyes Pink Dragon
White Eyes Pink Dragon
Award Year: 2012
Votes: 26
Hybridizer: James Gossard
B.J. McMillen
B.J. McMillen
Award Year: 2012
Votes: 26
Hybridizer: Daniel Bachman
Licorice Twist
Licorice Twist
Award Year: 2011
Votes: 64
Hybridizer: Roberts-N.
June Williams Memorial
June Williams Memorial
Award Year: 2010
Votes: 122
Hybridizer: John L. Kinnebrew Jr.
Tusk
Tusk
Award Year: 2009
Votes: 31
Hybridizer: Trimmer-J.
Debary Canary
Debary Canary
Award Year: 2008
Votes: 88
Hybridizer: Stamile