Northwest Blooms · Irises
Iris 'Sharp Dressed Man'
Sharp Dressed Man Iris
- Height
- 36 inches
- Width
- 1 to 1 1/2 feet
- Flower color
- Medium purple and purple-black with bright orange beards
- Foliage color
- Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
- Bloom time
- Midseason
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate, drought tolerant once established
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
About this plant
Iris 'Sharp Dressed Man' is a tall bearded iris with deeply colored, elegantly ruffled flowers that bloom in midseason. The standards are a luminous medium purple, while the velvety falls deepen dramatically to purple-black with subtly lighter edges. Brilliant orange beards stand out against the dark petals, creating a concentrated flash of warm color at the center. The flowers have a sweet fragrance and are carried above upright, sword-shaped green foliage.
Hybridized by Thomas Johnson, 'Sharp Dressed Man' was registered and introduced through Mid-America Garden in 2010. It received an Honorable Mention in 2012, Award of Merit in 2014, Favorite Guest Award in 2015, and Wister Medal in 2016. Its dark coloring is especially effective where the flowers can be viewed in good light, which reveals the distinction between the purple standards and nearly black falls.
Works well in
Borders · Cut Flower Gardens · Formal Gardens · Walkways · Foundation Plantings
Companion plants
Golden spirea · Dwarf spruce · Cream foxglove · Yellow coreopsis · Blue globe thistle · Silver wormwood · White creeping phlox
Design tip
Position 'Sharp Dressed Man' where afternoon light can catch the purple standards and reveal the velvety texture of its darker falls. Pale flowers or light-colored hardscape nearby will sharpen its silhouette and prevent the nearly black blooms from disappearing into the background.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Schreiner's Iris Gardens.
