Prancing Pony

Prancing Pony (Larry Gaulter, 1978) is a tall bearded iris introduced by Cooleys Gardens in 1980. This early to midseason bloomer reaches 34" (86 cm) and features beautifully ruffled standards in brown-lavender, contrasted by rich burgundy falls and a vivid orange beard. Bred from a cross of seedlings from Grape Festival x Orinda and Hi Top, Prancing Pony offers a unique and eye-catching color combination. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Guardian Garden, Historic, Ruffled 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.