I have been combing the database for iris of the above description. So far, I have come up with only three: Pacific Fire ( which I own), Fit For Royalty, and Jacob.

Pacific Fire was planted by me last fall and bloomed for me this spring. It was not the color depicted on most of the database pictures. Aside from the very red beards, I would call it a mid-violet. In the midday I was not impressed, particularly, but when toward evening the slanting rays of the sun lit it up, it looked truly on fire! I love it, and can't wait for it to multiply.

I would love to hear from people who have either of these three cultivars, ( or others that meet my title description) as to how you like them.

Now, I need to figure out how to show pictures of these from the database. I still have not unloaded my camera's photos of Pacific Fire.

Let's see if this works. This is a photo of Pacific Fire from the database. I still think that this and other photos in the database show it bluer than it really is. I think it's more violet than the photos so far have shown

Here's Fit for Royalty. However, its beards are described as "dark brick red" and you can see they don't show up as well.

And here is Jacob:


Jacob, like Pacific Fire, has a nice bright contrast between the red beard and the darker self color.

I'd be interested to know if there are any very dark purples, navys or near blacks with bright red beards. So far I haven't found any in the database. But I've only searched the registrations back to about 1995, and many of the most recent registrations don't have photos yet, so I might have missed something.

Those red beards on Jacob are divine

I agree!

Not a "red" beard, rather dark orange, but it really stands out.

Daisy, I have grown Pacific Fire for five years and it has performed well for me.

Oh, yes, I totally forgot about Paul Black. And it's one I have on order! In fact I had ordered it for planting last fall but the supplier omitted it from the delivery. So, it's on order again from a different supplier this time. I have to have it! I love the contrast of red beard on a dark iris. I hope you hybridizers will take note, and work more on combining red beards on near blacks.

I like the combo too, and will maybe do a cross or two in that direction.

Marilyn, that would be terrific!

Andrea, that's good to hear!

There is Cayeux's though in real life it looks more like this . Still and all quite a stunner.

Very pretty!

. not quite red, daisydo. but quite a dark orange on this intermediate named 'banshee'.

Yes, pretty, but I want to see it on selfs, not bitones. And I really do want the beards to be true red. No less red than on Paul Black, I would say.

love this one. thought i'd give it a shout out.😄

Banshee reminds me a lot of Black Magic Woman, and Sharp Dressed Man. Haven't seen any of them in person, though.

Ooh, here's one that comes close, but the beard is described as tangerine. I wish the beard were a bit redder:

Dracula's Kiss

Here are Black Magic Woman, Dracula's Kiss and Sharp Dressed Man side by side for comparison. These were taken at Napa Iris 3 years ago (I also grow all three of them). So these photos were taken on the dame day, in the same light and with the same camera.