Amethyst Actress

Amethyst Actress is a nine-fall Japanese iris — an uncommon form. Where most Japanese irises open with three or six falls, this one carries nine, layering into a fuller, rounder flower with real depth to it. The white ground is heavily marked in amethyst purple, which is where it earns the name.

Registered by Chad Harris in 2007 and introduced in 2009. Harris runs Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm in southwest Washington, where he's been growing irises for four decades, and he's a Master Judge with the American Iris Society. His seedling 99JC2 also produced a sibling, 'Amethyst's Sister', a taller nine-fall introduced a few years later.

Standing 40 inches with late bloom, it comes on after most other Japanese irises have finished — one of the varieties that carries the display deeper into summer.

Japanese irises want moisture, especially through spring bloom season, and slightly acidic soil — they won't tolerate lime. Full sun gives the best performance. Hardy in zones 4–8.