John

John (Allan Ensminger, 1990) is a remarkable Intermediate Bearded iris that commands attention with its bold, painterly color contrast and refined form. Reaching 26" (66 cm) in height, John features chocolate brown standards with a luminous yellow midrib, complemented by brown style arms. The falls are a radiant straw yellow (HCC 604), accented by a vivid yellow beard and a subtle, inviting fragrance. Blooming early to late, this cultivar is a memorable addition to any garden, offering a pedigree from People Pleaser X Hula Dancer and recognized with an Honorable Mention in 1992. A true garden showpiece, John brings a dynamic, gallery-worthy presence to the spring landscape. Attributes: Fertile, Fragrant, Guardian Garden, Historic, Rebloomer Awards: Honorable Mention Rebloomer This cultivar is a known rebloomer. Known Rebloom Zones: Zone 8 Rebloom Confidence: ⭐⭐ 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.