Tennessee: The Volunteer State Collection

Tennessee: The Volunteer State Collection

Celebrate the music, heritage, and beauty of Tennessee with this specially curated collection inspired by one of America's most influential states. From the Appalachian Mountains and the legacy of Dolly Parton to the musical landmarks of Nashville and Memphis, this collection honors the people, places, and traditions that helped shape the Volunteer State. As one of the few states to designate the iris as its official state flower, Tennessee is a natural addition to our America the Beautiful Series.

This collection includes one rhizome each of:

• Coat Of Many Colors

• Tennessee Gentleman

• Spirit Of Memphis

• Velvet Elvis (SDB)

• Heartbreak Hotel

• Innocent Star

• Pallida Variegata Gold

Retail Value: $91 Collection Price: $50 You Save: $41 

Part of the America the Beautiful Series — 50 States, 50 Collections, each celebrating the history, culture, landscapes, and spirit of America through exceptional irises.

Coat Of Many Colors (Thomas Johnson, 2021) is a tall bearded iris reaching 34"" (86 cm) and blooming in midseason. This variety features standards with a peach base, richly infused with deep apricot and highlighted by apricot veins blending to a gold edge. The style arms are apricot, while the falls display a magenta wash over rose-pink, accented by a dramatic deep purple splash below the beard and a wide, blended band of purple, salmon, and gold. The beards are white at the base with vivid tangerine tips. Coat Of Many Colors offers a slight fragrance and is the result of a cross between One Man’s Art and an Epic Romance sibling. Honored with an Honorable Mention in 2023, this iris is available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Edge Trim, Fragrant, Veining Awards: Honorable Mention

Tennessee Gentleman (Sterling Innerst, 1991) is a commanding tall bearded iris that brings a gallery-worthy presence to the garden. Reaching 36"" (91 cm) and blooming midseason to late, this award-winning cultivar features medium yellow standards and falls edged with a vivid 1/2"" blue-purple trim, accentuated by a bronze-blue beard. Its bold, high-contrast coloration and sculptural form make it a true landscape centerpiece and a collector-grade addition. With a pedigree from Point Made and Capricious x Colortart, Tennessee Gentleman has earned multiple accolades, including the Honorable Mention (1993), Walther Cup (1993), and Award of Merit (1995). A remarkable, pedigree-worthy iris for those seeking a show garden quality bloom. Attributes: Edge Trim, Historic, Rebloomer Awards: Award of Merit, Honorable Mention, Walther Cup Rebloomer This cultivar is a known rebloomer. Known Rebloom Zones: Zone 4, Zone 8 (all zones in between 4 and 8 can be assumed).  Rebloom Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spirit Of Memphis (Lloyd Zurbrigg, 1976) is a tall bearded iris reaching 34-36"" (86-91 cm), introduced by Avonbank in 1977. This midseason bloomer is notable for its reliable rebloom in October and November in Virginia. The blooms are a brilliant medium yellow self, heavily ruffled and laced, with a matching yellow beard. Bred from (Miss Illini x Grand Baroque) X Halloween Party, Spirit Of Memphis received an Honorable Mention from the American Iris Society in 1980. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Fertile, Historic, Laced, Rebloomer, Ruffled Awards: Honorable Mention Rebloomer This cultivar is a known rebloomer. Known Rebloom Zones: Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 6b, Zone 8b Rebloom Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Velvet Elvis (Ginny Spoon, 2011) is a collector-grade standard dwarf bearded iris that delivers a gallery-worthy display in the late midseason garden. Reaching 11"" (28 cm), this cultivar captivates with its sculptural, ruffled form and painterly color play. The erect standards are a refined greyed-purple (RHS 187B/C) with yellow and greyed-purple veining at the base, complemented by style arms edged in grey-yellow (160D). The wide, arched falls feature a narrow greyed-purple (180B) border with a darker hairline edge, framing a deep, velvety mahogany-red spot (blend of 169A and 46A) and dramatic dark veins that radiate into the lighter border. Yellow (7B) flashes between the mahogany veins in the hafts, adding further intrigue. The beards are a vivid mix: lavender-blue at the base, tipped with greyed-yellow (162A) at the end and a bold orange (24A) in the middle and throat, creating a dynamic focal point. Blue-green anthers (122A/B) provide a final, eye-catching detail. With a slight spicy fragrance and a pedigree from Seedling #2003-22A: ('Cerise Boy' x 'Candy Corn' sibling) X self, Velvet Elvis is a showpiece bloom—perfect for those seeking a dramatic, color-forward addition to their collection. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Edge Trim, Fragrant, Novelty, Ruffled, Space Age, Veining

Heartbreak Hotel (George Sutton, 1997) is a gallery-worthy Tall Bearded iris that brings a bold, painterly presence to the late midseason garden. Reaching 37"" (94 cm), this cultivar features refined salmon standards and style arms (RHS 27A) above saturated imperial purple falls (78A), all dramatically accented by vivid nasturtium red beards (32B) and a unique 1"" salmon and violet purple horn. The blooms are ruffled and laced, with a slight sweet fragrance adding to their allure. Bred from Sweet Musette x Twice Thrilling, Heartbreak Hotel is a celebrated novelty and Honorable Mention winner (2002), making it a conversation-starting centerpiece for collectors and enthusiasts. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm. Attributes: Fertile, Fragrant, Laced, Novelty, Ruffled, Space Age Awards: Honorable Mention

Innocent Star (George Sutton, 1999) is a remarkable tall bearded iris that commands attention with its bold, painterly color contrasts and refined form. Reaching 35"" (89 cm), this early midseason rebloomer features luminous white standards washed in dramatic dark beetroot (RHS 71), complemented by sculptural style arms in beetroot and cream. The falls showcase a vibrant yellow and white ground, intricately edged, veined, and dotted with rich beetroot, while cream beards tipped in beetroot add a final touch of artistry. Ruffled petals and a slight sweet fragrance enhance its garden-showpiece appeal. With its pedigree from Innocence Abroad x Rock Star, Innocent Star is a captivating, exhibition-grade addition for collectors and garden enthusiasts alike. Available at Amethyst Creek Farm.

Attributes: Edge Trim, Fertile, Fragrant, Rebloomer, Ruffled, Speckled, Veining Rebloomer This cultivar is a known rebloomer. Known Rebloom Zones: Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9 Rebloom Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐

Pallida Variegata Gold is a remarkable iris celebrated for its bold, variegated foliage that delivers vibrant, all-season visual interest. This cultivar stands out with its unmistakable, grape soda-like fragrance—an extraordinary sensory experience in the garden. Exceptionally drought tolerant, Pallida Variegata Gold is a dynamic, garden-showpiece that brings both color-forward foliage and unique scent to any landscape. Attributes: Rebloomer Rebloomer This cultivar is a known rebloomer. Known Rebloom Zones: Rebloomer Unknown Zone Rebloom Confidence: ⭐⭐