Above and Beyond

Above and Beyond earns its name. Registered by Donald Delmez in 2000, this three-fall Japanese iris opens with standards of blue violet veined in deeper blue and finished with clean white tips. The falls are the real showstopper — white ground splashed and veined in blue, like ink dropped into water, with a bright yellow-green signal at the heart. Softly ruffled throughout.

Standing 35 inches tall and blooming midseason, it earned an Honorable Mention from the American Iris Society in 2004. A cross of 'Cascade Crest' × 'Chitose Hime'.

Japanese irises want moisture, especially in spring, and slightly acidic soil — they're intolerant of lime. Full sun brings the best performance, though they'll still bloom with a half day of shade. Hardy in zones 4–8.