Arizona: The Grand Canyon State Collection

ARIZONA: THE GRAND CANYON STATE COLLECTION

Experience the beauty, history, and spirit of Arizona through six distinctive iris cultivars inspired by the landscapes, colors, and heritage of the Grand Canyon State. From the pine forests of northern Arizona and the sweeping Sonoran Desert to copper mining traditions and spectacular desert sunsets, this collection celebrates the remarkable diversity that makes Arizona one of America's most iconic destinations.

Known as the Copper State, Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, the Sonoran Desert, towering saguaro cacti, ancient Native American cultures, and some of the most breathtaking scenery in the American Southwest. This carefully curated collection reflects the warm colors, rugged beauty, and enduring character of Arizona through six exceptional irises representing a range of forms, colors, and garden performance.

This collection includes one rhizome each of the six cultivars listed below, for a total of six irises.

COCONINO

"Coconino (Marky Smith, 2009) is a showpiece Standard Dwarf Bearded iris that commands attention with its dramatic color contrast and refined form. Early-blooming and compact at 13"" (33 cm), Coconino features oyster cream standards and pale grey style arms, offset by bold, blackened mulberry falls edged with a crisp cream wire rim. Cream feathering around the beard and a vibrant yellow-orange beard in the throat add painterly detail, while the ruffled petals enhance its sculptural presence. With a pedigree that includes Paul Black’s B279A and a lineage of award-winning parents, Coconino is a medal-worthy, exhibition-grade addition to any garden. Honored with the AIS Honorable Mention (2014), Award of Merit (2017), and the prestigious Cook-Douglas Medal (2022), this cultivar is a collector’s dream and a true landscape centerpiece. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm.

Attributes: Edge Trim, Fertile, Ruffled

Awards: Award of Merit, Cook-Douglas Medal, Honorable Mention"

SONORAN SANDS

Sonoran Sands (Richard Tasco, 1995) is a remarkable Intermediate Bearded iris that commands attention with its radiant golden yellow standards and luminous yellow style arms. The falls are a lighter yellow, dramatically accented by a rusty brown sanded wash—most intense near the beard and shoulders, then softly diffusing across the lower petals. Vivid orange beards and lightly ruffled edges add a painterly finish to this 24"" midseason bloomer. With a pedigree from Panocha x Sam and honored with an AIS Honorable Mention in 2000, Sonoran Sands is fertile both ways and offers a memorable, garden-showpiece presence. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm.

Attributes: Historic, Ruffled

Awards: Honorable Mention

HIGH DESERT

High Desert (Keith Keppel, 2014) is a commanding tall bearded iris that delivers a gallery-worthy display in the midseason garden. Towering at 40"" (102 cm), this award-winning cultivar captivates with chrome lemon standards and goldenrod style arms, contrasted by martius yellow falls that pale to warm white at the center. A narrow, dramatic band of dark greyed red-purple encircles the falls, accentuated by veined shoulders and a dart below the beard. The beards themselves are a dynamic blend of mustard orange and light purple, all set off by a refined plicata pattern. With a pedigree from Inside Track, Spice Lord, and Reckless Abandon, High Desert is a medal-worthy, conversation-starting centerpiece—recognized with an Honorable Mention (2017), Award of Merit (2019), and 2nd Prize Franciris® (2017). A true collector-grade iris for the discerning gardener. Hybridizer: Keith Keppel. Year of introduction: 2014. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm.

Attributes: Fertile, Veining

Awards: Award of Merit, Honorable Mention"

COPPER ANGEL

Copper Angel (Howard Dash, 2017) is a commanding tall bearded iris that brings a radiant, gallery-worthy presence to any garden. Reaching 39"" (99 cm) in midseason, this award-winning cultivar features luminous white standards and style arms edged in yellow, contrasted by rich golden copper falls with dramatic veining around vibrant orange beards. A subtle fragrance adds to its refined appeal. With parentage from Zesting Lemons and a Kelly seedling (Pennant Fever x Machismo), Copper Angel is a pedigree-worthy, show garden standout. Honored with an Honorable Mention in 2021 and an Award of Merit in 2023, this iris is a true landscape centerpiece—bold, memorable, and field-stopping. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm.

Attributes: Edge Trim, Fragrant

Awards: Award of Merit, Honorable Mention

SUN DEVIL

Sun Devil (Schreiner, 2017) is a commanding tall bearded iris that brings a bold, high-contrast presence to the midseason garden. Reaching 40"" (102 cm), this remarkable cultivar features dusky yellow standards above rich burgundy falls, each edged with a fine yellow rim and highlighted by a dramatic white spray pattern around the gold beards. Its graphic, painterly coloration and dynamic patterning make Sun Devil a true garden showpiece—an eye magnet and conversation-starter for any landscape. With its pedigree-worthy lineage and memorable, color-forward blooms, Sun Devil is a standout addition for collectors and enthusiasts seeking a visually arresting, exhibition-grade iris. No noted rebloom or fragrance. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm.

Attributes: Edge Trim

DESERT BLUSH

Desert Blush (Howard Dash, 2018) is a tall bearded iris reaching 32"" (81 cm), blooming from midseason to late. This elegant variety features pale pink standards with soft apricot accents near the style arms, complemented by pale pink to pale apricot style arms. The falls are a delicate pale pink with a subtle apricot rim, and the beards are pale pink, creating a harmonious and refined color palette. Desert Blush is the result of a cross between Blessed Are the Children and a Kelly seedling (House Afire x Beach Dance), with parentage confirmed in the 2020 R&I corrections. Recognized for its quality, it received an Exhibition Certificate in 2018 and an Honorable Mention in 2023. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm.

Attributes: Edge Trim

Awards: Exhibition Certificate, Honorable Mention

Collection Detail: 

Retail Value: $86

Collection Price: $50

You Save: $36

Part of the America the Beautiful Series

50 States. 50 Collections. One Amazing Journey Across America.