El Capitan

El Capitan (William Mohr & Sydney B. Mitchell, 1926) is a legendary tall bearded iris that brings a vibrant, rich-toned lavender bloom to the midseason garden. With its heritage as a cross between Oriflamme and Iris mesopotamica, this cultivar boasts a pedigree that is both prestigious and historic. The blooms feature subtle veining and a luminous quality, making El Capitan a true garden showpiece. Its bold color class (B3M) and sculptural form ensure it stands out as a collector-grade, exhibition-ready iris—perfect for those seeking a memorable and heritage-quality addition to their landscape. Attributes: Guardian Garden, Historic 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.