Harlequin
[V]
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Full Description
TB 40″ M W8D
From the Stevens Bros. catalog for 1952-53: “A strange iris with a dark gypsy personality, which though strictly defined as a plicata is very different from these usually light colored flowers. Harlequin has more in common with oncocyclus irises in its appearance than with most bearded irises. The falls are widely flared, of heavy starched substance, and well ruffled and waved, of a deep purple-toned chocolate. The stiffly held standards are nearly as dark as the falls and the whole flower has a most exotic and lovely air of sophistication.”
From the 1955 Schreiner’s Iris Catalog: “Technically a plicata, this fantastic “believe it or not” Iris looks like an Oncocyclus hybrid. The heavy silvery falls with perky horizontal flare are not only veined in a butterfly’s wing but bizarrely stippled and dappled chocolate and purple to match the feathery standards. Exotic, sophisticated, never to be forgotten, its weird beauty makes garden visitors exclaim.”
(seedling X Tiffany).