Silver Years

Silver Years (Ben Hager, 1980) is a tall bearded iris reaching 38" (97 cm) with elegant midseason blooms. The standards are a very pale blue, complemented by pristine white falls and a pale yellow beard. Bred from a distinguished lineage including 'Igloo', 'Golden Stairs', 'Queen's Lace', and 'Dream Time', Silver Years is celebrated for its refined color combination and classic form. This variety has earned multiple honors, including the Honorable Mention (1983), Award of Merit (1985), Franklin Cook Cup (1985), and Favorite Guest (1985). Available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Fertile, Guardian Garden, Historic Awards: Award of Merit, Favorite Guest, Franklin Cook Cup, 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.