Special Feature

Special Feature (Manley Osborne, 1987) is a truly memorable Tall Bearded iris, celebrated for its sculptural, ruffled violet-blue blooms (RHS 92) and dramatic garden presence. Reaching 32" (81 cm) in height, this midseason standout is instantly recognizable by its unique grey-orange beard—often double—and a bold 1.5" violet-blue flounce that adds a painterly flourish. A slight sweet fragrance enhances its appeal, making it a collector-grade, exhibition-ready addition to any landscape. Bred from (Sky Hooks x Jack R. Dee) X Pacific Grove and introduced by Melrose Gardens in 1988, Special Feature is a pedigree-worthy iris that brings a vibrant, gallery-worthy energy to the garden. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Fertile, Fragrant, Guardian Garden, Historic, Novelty, Ruffled, Space Age 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.