Alta California

Alta California (William Mohr & Sydney B. Mitchell, 1931) is a remarkable tall bearded iris celebrated for its commanding 4-foot stature and painterly bicolor presentation. This midseason, garden-showpiece variety features mustard yellow standards and olive buff falls, intricately flecked with vinaceous tones for a dramatic, color-forward effect. The conspicuous haft is closely dotted and veined, while a yellow-orange beard adds a vibrant accent. With its bold, sculptural form reminiscent of Caterina, Alta California is a pedigree-worthy addition to any landscape, honored with an AIS Honorable Mention in 1936. (Alcazar x Esplendido) X (Shekinah x Argentina). No noted fragrance or rebloom. Attributes: Guardian Garden, Historic, Speckled, Veining Awards: Honorable Mention Guardian Garden (GG) This cultivar is a Guardian Garden Iris. Guardian Garden irises are endangered cultivars preserved through long-term stewardship rather than routine sale. Many of these varieties have been lost to time through attrition, discontinued propagation, or the disappearance of original growers, leaving only a few known living examples in cultivation. When a Guardian Garden variety is offered, it reflects that a sustainable stock level has finally been reached within our collection; availability remains intentionally limited to protect the cultivar’s future. We encourage collectors who value historic preservation to support the continued safeguarding of rare and endangered irises by joining the Historic Iris Preservation Society.