Iris ensata
We have been importing newer and older historic irises from Japan for many years. All have been registered with the American Iris Society (AIS) and are eligible to enter AIS-sanctioned shows.
Iris ensata has been selectively bred from wild forms found in northern Asia. Their cultural needs are very demanding, if met they will reward you with a magnificent display of color approximately 2-4 weeks after Tall Bearded bloom. Peak bloom in our garden is the last two weeks of June. Culture has a great influence; please refer to the culture page. Note: Grow as you would a productive summertime vegetable garden, with moist well-drained compost-rich soil that is slightly acidic (no lime or bone meal).
Payne Award/Medal: The Payne Medal, named for W. Arlie Payne, is the highest award given by the American Iris Society that a Japanese iris can receive in its class. Payne Medal winners are then eligible to win the Dykes Medal, which is the highest award an iris can receive from The American Iris Society. 1992 and prior the highest award a Japanese Iris could receive was the Payne Award. This award has now been elevated to a medal status. A brief of W. Arlie Payne by Clarence Mahan.
Mt Pleasant Iris Farm is pleased to offer many top award winners for your garden. Payne Award: PW Payne Medal: PM
Key to the descriptions
F = Falls Number of Petals, 3F single, 6F double, 9F–12F peony form
E, M, L, V = Bloom Season, Early, Mid-Season, Late, and Very
At Mt Pleasant Iris Farm, peak season is the last week of June through the first week of July. VE varieties may start blooming in the first or second week of June. With VL varieties starting to bloom the first week of July. Each varietal clump, when established, should be in color with bloom for a minimum of two weeks.
RE = Rebloom has been noted in our fields, not guaranteed.
36″, 40″ Height of the plant.
Bloom 3″, 12″ Approximate diameter of the bloom.
Buds 2-4 Number of buds to a stem.
The last three listed items, Height, Bloom Size, and Number of Buds, are all heavily dictated by the culture given. The same plant might be 30″ or 40″ tall depending on the soil and water needs given.
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Aki No Nishiki $35.00 (Autumn Brocade/Silk) Isaburo Hayashi <1887 in Japan AIS Reg. 1995 |
Red-violet, white blaze and rays | 3F, M, 36″, Bloom 6″-7″, Buds 2-3 |
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Ama No Hagoromo $40.00 (Angel’s Gown) Kamo 1997 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
White, edged and randomly speckled blue-violet | 9F, M, 30″, Bloom 7″, Buds 3-5 |
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Amethyst Actress $15.00 Harris 2019 |
Mid-amethyst fading to pale amethyst | 9F, M, 40″, Bloom 8″, Buds 2-4 |
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Amethyst’s Sister $15.00 Harris 2012 |
Mid to dark amethyst, blue halo surrounds the signal | 9F, L, 52″, Bloom 7″, Buds 3-6 |
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Artesian Spring $15.00 Harris 2010 |
Dark purple with blue undertones, white style arms edged in blue | 6F, ML, 48″, Bloom 7″, Buds 3-4 |
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Ashi No Ukifune $35.00 (Shallow Reed Boat Adrift) Yoshio Mitsuda 1966 in Japan AIS Reg. 1993 |
Light silver violet, darker veins, and halos, style arms dark purple. | 6F, ML, 36″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Banjo Blues $15.00 Bauer/Coble 2005 |
white veined blue, dark blue styles with white crests | 6F, M, 34″, Boom 6″-7″, Buds 3-5 |
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Beni Huyou $35.00 (Red Hibiscus) Nagai Yoshiko <1868 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Red-violet, white blaze and rays | 6F, ML, 36″, Bloom 7″, Buds 4-7 |
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Cascade Crest $15.00 Aitken 1988 |
White ground sanded pale blue-violet | 6F, M, 48″, Bloom 6″-8″, Buds 2-3 PM 1995 |
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Cascade Spice $15.00 Reid 1989 |
White ground freckled blue-violet, banded red-violet | 6F, ML, 42″, Bloom 6″-7″, Buds 3-5 |
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Celestial Emperor $15.00 Harris 2011 |
Silver ground red-violet band and veins. Blue halo surrounding yellow signals | 6F, ML, 38″, Bloom 9″-10″, Buds 2-3 |
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Columbia Crest $15.00 Harris 2015 |
Royal purple with a deep blue undertone | 6F, L, 50″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 3-5 |
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Daikagura $35.00 (Shinto Ritual Dance/Music) Unknown <1940 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Dark wine red, velvet texture | 3F, M, 44″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Dalle Whitewater $15.00 Harris 2011 |
White ground sanded mid-blue-violet | 6F, L, 48″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 3-5 PM 2021 |
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Dancing Waves $15.00 Payne 1964 |
Blends of dark violet to purple, sharp white edge | 6F, ML, 42″, Bloom 9″-10″, Buds 2 PA 1968 |
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Datedōgu $35.00 (Extravagant Tool) Unknown <1885 in Japan AIS Reg. 1949, 2022 |
Red-violet, white blaze, and faint rays | 3F, EM, 42″, Blooms 5″, Buds 3-4 |
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Dirigo Devil $15.00 White 1992 |
Mid Red-violet splashed lighter | 6F, L, 44″, Bloom 5″-6″, Buds 3-5 |
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Frosted Intrigue $15.00 Bauer/Coble 1997 |
Blends of dark blue and red-violet | 6F, M, 36″, Bloom 6″-7″, Buds 4-5 |
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Frosted Pyramid $15.00 Marx 1960 |
White self | 9F, L, 44″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 2-4 |
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Geishōui $40.00 (Rainbow Skirted Feather Robe) Matsudaira Shōō 1846 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Bright red-violet, large white blaze, and rays | 9F, L, 42″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2 Note: Not “The” first 9F created, however, one of the first. |
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Gijozakura $40.00 (A Name) Yoshio Mitsuda <1983 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Soft pink | 9F, ML, 36″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 3-5 |
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Gyokuhōren $35.00 (Jeweled Lotus) Unknown <1887 in Japan AIS Reg. 1939, 2022 |
Light violet, darker at the edges. Unique flower form staying in an open cup. | 3F, EM, 36″, Bloom 3″, Buds 2-3 |
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Hakuryu No Tsume $35.00 (White Dragon’s Nail) Unknown <1910 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
White self. Most blooms remain in a closed bud form for the life of the flower, making them great for Ikebana. | 3F, M, 42″, Bloom 4″, Buds 5-7 |
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Hekihō $35.00 (Bluebird) Shuichi Hirao 1980 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Rich blue-violet | 3F, ML, 28″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2-3 |
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Hina No Kasane $40.00 (Garment of Young Girl) Yoshio Mitsuda 1994 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Deep bright pink | 3F, EM, 26″, Bloom 8″-9″, Buds 3-6 |
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Hinamatsuri $40.00 (Girl’s Festival) Yoshio Mitsuda 1986 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Deep rich pink | 3F, E, 26″, Bloom 8″-9″, Buds 4-6 |
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Indigo Angel $15.00 Bauer/Coble 2011 |
Violet ground, darker halo and veins, red-violet band-edged white | 6F, M, 32″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 2-3 PM 2019 |
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Izumigawa $35.00 (Spring Flowing Into A River) Izaemon Kodaka 1830-1843 in Japan AIS Reg. 1939, 2021 |
Pale blue-violet with darker veins and style arms | 6F, M, 42″, Bloom 5″-6″, Buds 3-4 |
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Janomegasa $35.00 (Traditional Umbrella) Unknown <1910 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Pale lilac with darker halos and veins of blue-violet | 6F, VE, 40″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 3-4 |
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Japanese Plum $15.00 Harris 2010 |
Velvety red-violet, dark-style arms | 6F, M, 38″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 3-4 |
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Kagurajishi $40.00 (Shinto Dancing Lion) Nobutsume Nishida 1929 in Japan AIS Reg. 1939, 2021 |
Dark velvet purple | 9F, M, 38″, Bloom 10″, Buds 2-3 |
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Kokuryu No Tsume $35.00 (Black Dragon’s Nail) Unknown <1910 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
White with a strong edge of dark violet. Most blooms remain in a closed bud form for the life of the flower, making them great for Ikebana. | 3F, EM, 44″, Bloom 3″, Buds 2-3 |
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Komachi Musume $35.00 (Beautiful Young Girl) Unknown <1868 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
White falls, red-violet standards spashed white. | 3F, E, 36″, Bloom 5″ Buds 2-4 |
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Kotohime $40.00 (Princess Who Plays The Koto) Yoshio Mitsuda 1972-1977 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Bright rich lilac/pink | 3F, M, 32″, Bloom 10″-11″, Buds 2-3 |
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Kyomai $35.00 (Traditional Kyoto Dance) Yoshio Mitsuda <1985 in Japan AIS Reg. 1993 |
White ground heavily sanded red-violet | 3F, EM, 32″ Bloom 8″, Buds 2-3 |
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Lion King $15.00 Bauer/Coble 1996 |
White, edged and freckled red-violet | 9F, M, 42″, Bloom 8″-9″, Buds 3-6 PM 2003 |
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Mangetsu No Utage $30.00 (Full Moon Festivities) Yoshio Mitsuda 1990 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
White | 9F, M, 32″, Bloom 7″, Buds 2-4 |
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Matsubagasane $30.00 (Pine Needles) Unknown <1887 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Pale blue-violet, darker veins, red-violet standards, dark purple style-arms | 3F, M, 42″, Bloom5″-6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Miharayama $35.00 (Mt. Mihara) Yoshio Mitsuda 1988 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Rich velvety dark purple | 6F, ML, 32″, Bloom 8″, Buds 2-3 |
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Miyabi $40.00 (Elegant) Yoshio Mitsuda 1985 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
Bright mid-lilac/pink | 6F, EM, 38″, Bloom8″, Buds 2 |
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Mulberry Halos $20.00 Harris 2019 |
Silver-violet ground, mulberry halo, and veins | 6F, L, 38″, Bloom 6″-7″, Buds 2-3 |
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My Elisabeth $15.00 McEwen by Whitney 2008 |
Large mid-blue-violet | 6F, M, 42″, Bloom 9″-10″, Buds 3-4 Tetraploid |
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Natsusugata $35.00 (Summer Appearance) Ito Toichi 1953 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
White ground sanded and veined red and blue-violet blends. Very round bowl form. | 6F, EM, 38″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Night Angel $15.00 Aitken 1996 |
Dark blue-violet, ray pattern | 6F, ML, 36″, Bloom 6″-8″, Buds 2-3 |
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Niji No Tomoe $35.00 (Whirling Rainbow) probably Matsudaira Shōō <1856 in Japan AIS Reg. 1994 |
Red-violet, strong white blaze radiating as rays. White standards edged red-violet | 3F, E, 38″, Bloom 6″, Buds 4-6 |
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Ochiba Goromo $35.00 (Autumn Leaf Garment) Unknown <1940 in Japan AIS Reg. 2021 |
White, lightly brushed pastel blue-violet. White standards with a sharp edge of red-violet. | 3F, M, 30″, Bloom 5″-6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Ol’Man River $15.00 McEwen 1987 |
Red-violet, lightly splashed with white | 6F, L, 49″, Bloom 5″-6″, Buds 4-7 |
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Oriental Classic $15.00 McEwen 1988 |
Large white self | 6F, M, 38″, Bloom 9″-10″, Buds 5-7 Tetraploid |
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Pagoda Temple $15.00 Harris 2017 |
Rich blends of violet, a true hose-n-hose, one bloom inside another | 12+F, M, 36″, Bloom 6″-7″, Buds 2 |
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Peacock Strut $15.00 Hirao by Hager 1978 |
Soft sky blue-violet | 3F, L, 42″, Bloom 8″-9″, Buds 2 |
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Picotee Prince $15.00 Reid 1992 |
White ground sanded soft lilac | 6F, L, 44″, Bloom 8″-9″, Buds 4-6 |
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Renjō No Tama $35.00 (Love of Lilac Jewel) Matsuda Shōō <1856 in Japan AIS Reg. 1992 |
Pastel lilac | 6F, M, 32″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Rhythmic Blues $50.00 New Introduction Harris 2026 |
Dark blue-violet, white style arms | 3F, E, 32″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 3-7 |
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Sakuragawa $35.00 (Cherry Stream) probably Matsudaira Shōō <1856 in Japan AIS Reg. 1938, 2022 |
White ground heavily sanded blends of red-blue-violet | 6F, L, 48″, Blooms 5″, Buds 2 |
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Shichfukujin $35.00 (Seven Gods of Fortune) Unknown <1868 AIS Reg. 1939 |
Mid red-violet, faint white rays, style arms white. | 3F, M, 36″, Bloom 5″, Buds 3-4 |
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Shining Prince $15.00 Hirao by Hager AIS Reg 1991 |
Rich violet with white rays. | 6F, M, 37″, Bloom 7″-8″, Buds 2-3 |
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Shinsou Kajin $40.00 (Beautiful Woman Secluded) Unknown <1925 in Japan AIS Reg. 1939, 2022 |
Pastel wisteria, mid-violet standards. | 3F, M, 48″, Bloom 8″, Buds 4-7 |
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Shuchūka $35.00 (Flower in Wine) Probly Matsudaira Shōō <1856 in Japan AIS Reg. 1939 |
White edged red-violet. | 6F, L, 30″, Blooom 6″-7″, Buds 2 |
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Shūshi No Homare $35.00 (Honor Of The People) Unknown <1904 in Japan AIS Reg. 2022 |
White base sanded mid-red-violet, standards darker red-violet, edged white. | 3F, ML, 34″, Bloom 4″, Buds 2-4 |
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Silent Thunder $15.00 Bauer/Coble 1996 |
Mid-red-violet, one of the last to start blooming. | 9F, VL, 48″, Bloom 8″-9″, Buds 4-6 |
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Silverband $15.00 Bauer/Coble 1989 |
Dark red-violet with striking variegated white and green foliage. | 3F, M, 36″, Bloom 3″-4″, Buds 2-4 |
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Souseiki $40.00 (Creation Of The World) Kamo 1997 in Japan AIS Reg. 2022 |
Dark purple-edged white, large and lightly ruffled. | 6F, M, 30″, Bloom 10″, Buds 2 |
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Stella Niagara $15.00 Rettig 1995 |
Blue-violet large white blaze. | 3F, M, 38″, Bloom 5″-6″, Buds 4-6 |
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Sugar Dome $15.00 Bauer/Coble 2008 |
Mid-blue-violet, multiple white styles | 6F, L, 42″, Blooms 7″-8″, Buds 3 PM 2015 |
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Sunrise Ridge $15.00 Harris 2007 |
Red-violet, white blaze, and rays | 6F, M, 40″, Blooms 7″-8″, Buds 2-4 |
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Tatsutagawa $35.00 (Tatsuta River) Matsudaira Shōō <1856 in Japan AIS Reg. 1994 |
White random-edged red-violet. Note: This is one of the original 40 that started the Higo style of breeding. |
3F, M, 40″, Bloom 8″, Buds 2-4 |
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Thoroughbred $15.00 McEwen 1999 |
White, bright blue halo and veins. Standards purple, edged white. | 3F, M, 38″, Bloom 8″-10″, Buds 2 Tetraploid |
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Tsuru No Kegoromo $35.00 (Gown Of Crane Feathers) Matsudaira Shōō <1856 in Japan AIS Reg. 1939, 2022 |
Pure white. | 3F, M, 50″, Blooms 6″-7″, Buds 2-3 |
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Twilight’s Splendor $40.00 Harris 2023 |
Pale Blue-violet ground, darker halos, and veins | 6F, L, 38″, Blooms 8″-9″, Buds 2-3 |
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Wadatsumi (2) $35.00 (Sea Deity Dragon) Matsudaira Shōō <1856 in Japan AIS Reg. 2022 |
Mid-lilac-violet, white ray pattern, standards red-violet. Note: There are two different Wadatsumi Reg. with AIS, hence the (2) after this name. |
3F, E, 38″, Bloom 5″-6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Warai Hotei $35.00 (Jovial God Of Fortune) Kotakaen <1910 in Japan AIS Reg. 2022 |
Mid-blue-violet, darker veins, style arms black-purple. | 6F, L, 38″, Blooms 6″-7″, Buds 2 |
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Yamataikoku $15.00 Kamo 1979 AIS Reg 1993 |
Large, rich velvet royal purple. | 3F, M, 36″, Bloom 8″-9″, Buds 3-4 |
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Zama No Mori $35.00 (Forest Of Zama) Musashien 1863 in Japan AIS Reg. 1939, 2022 |
Very pale pastel blue-violet fading to white, standards white-edged pale blue-violet. | 3F, M, 38″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2-4 |
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Zuichou $35.00 (Melody, Harmony) Unknown <1940 in Japan AIS Reg. 2022 |
White ground sanded red-violet, standards darker, edged white, style arms white. | 3F, M, 38″, Bloom 6″, Buds 2-5 |
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Zuihō $35.00 (Auspicious Omen) Unknown <1940 in Japan AIS Reg. 2022 |
Mid-purple fading to Mid-violet, red-violet standards. Very stiff upright foliage. |
3F, M, 28″, Bloom 5″, Buds 2 |
