Northwest Blooms · Irises
Iris 'Vigilante'
Vigilante Iris
- Height
- 3 feet
- Width
- 1 to 1 1/2 feet
- Flower color
- Mustard yellow with deep maroon-black falls
- Foliage color
- Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
- Bloom time
- Midseason to late season
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
About this plant
Iris 'Vigilante' is a tall bearded variegata iris with richly contrasting flowers that bloom from mid to late season. Mustard-yellow standards rise above deep maroon-black falls, creating a dramatic division of warm and dark color. Old-gold beards complement the standards and add warmth at the center of each bloom. Upright, sword-shaped green foliage forms sturdy fans beneath the flowering stems.
Introduced in 1991 by Schreiner's Gardens, 'Vigilante' received an American Iris Society Honorable Mention in 1993 and Award of Merit in 1995. Its strong yellow and maroon-black coloring works beautifully in sunny perennial borders, cottage gardens, and dedicated iris beds. Use it among lighter flowers and foliage to emphasize the dark falls, repeat several clumps through a border, or grow it for distinctive spring cut-flower arrangements.
Works well in
Cottage Gardens · Borders · Cut Flower Gardens · Walkways · Waterwise Gardens
Companion plants
Ninebark · Shrub rose · Penstemon · Blanket flower · Blue flax · Artemisia · Stonecrop
Design tip
Use 'Vigilante' where its dark falls have a lighter backdrop rather than deep green foliage behind them. Pale flowers, silvery leaves, or light-colored stone nearby will sharpen the contrast, while repeating touches of gold elsewhere in the bed ties the planting together naturally.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens.
