April Hope

April Hope (James Gibson, 1979) is a legendary Tall Bearded iris that commands attention with its gallery-worthy presence and heritage pedigree. Reaching 36" (92 cm) and blooming midseason, this cultivar is celebrated for its bold edge trim and pronounced veining—hallmarks of Gibson’s masterful hybridizing. The luminous yellow-orange standards (RHS 20A) create a radiant contrast to the painterly violet falls, which are enriched by deeper violet veining (76A) and a finely etched 1/4" brown rim (164B). Light brown hafts and a vibrant yellow-orange beard (23A) add further dimension, while the ruffled and serrated form delivers a sculptural, exhibition-grade finish. Bred from Touch Of Midas x Amber Flash, April Hope is a Guardian Garden favorite—an unmistakable, ruffled showpiece that brings dynamic color and historic charisma to any collection. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Edge Trim, Guardian Garden, Historic, Ruffled, Veining 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.