Sapphire Night

Sapphire Night (Colonel Jesse Nicholls, 1935) is a remarkable early-blooming iris, celebrated for its bold, color-forward presence in the garden. Classified as B1D, this cultivar is the result of a cross between Reichenbachii Orange and an unknown parent, lending it a unique and memorable character. Its vivid, saturated tones and commanding stance make Sapphire Night a standout choice for collectors and enthusiasts seeking a garden showpiece with pedigree-worthy appeal. Attributes: Guardian Garden, Historic 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.