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Key characteristics

Classification: Tall Bearded
Height: 3 to 3 1/2 feet
Width: 1 1/2 to 2 feet
Flower color: Golden cream, violet and lavender with orange beards
Foliage color: Medium green, upright, sword-shaped leaves
Bloom time: Midseason, typically late spring
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8

Irises

Iris 'Elective'

Elective Iris

Iris 'Elective' is a tall bearded iris with bicolor flowers opening in midseason. Golden cream standards carry a soft lavender infusion, while rich violet falls gradually fade toward violet blue, revealing dusky veining and fiery orange beards. The lightly fragrant blooms shift into softer pastel tones as they mature. Upright, sword-shaped green foliage forms a clean, architectural clump beneath the flower stalks.

Introduced by Schreiner's Gardens in 2026, 'Elective' was selected from the Schreiner breeding program and registered as seedling E162-1.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate; drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Midseason, typically late spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Cottage Gardens
Borders
Cut Flower Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Walkways

Companion plants

Lavender · Catmint · Salvia · Peonies · Spirea · Creeping phlox · Lamb's ear

Design tip

Use 'Elective' where its flowers can be viewed regularly as their colors soften and change with age. Repeating a few clumps through a sunny bed creates a natural rhythm, while lower, softly textured foliage nearby helps keep the planting looking full once the iris has finished blooming.