Australis

Australis (Augustino Todaro, 1861, Italy) is a tall bearded iris blooming in the late midseason, offered by Amethyst Creek Farm. This variety features standards of pallid blue-violet with a hint of red-brown reticulation, domed and elegantly ruffled. The falls are a pale hortense violet, lighter toward the edges, with grayish reticulation on the inner haft, and display a smooth, convex, wedge-shaped form. The prominent beard is coarse, dense, and white, tipped with yellow at the base. Australis is noted for its broad, channeled haft, large fringed crest, and plentiful pollen. The blooms are pleasantly fragrant, making this iris a standout for both its beauty and scent. Attributes: Edge Trim, Frilled, Guardian Garden, Historic, Ruffled, Smooth 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.