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Key characteristics

Classification: Tall Bearded Iris (TB), Variegata
Height: 3 feet
Width: 1 to 1 1/2 feet
Flower color: Lemon yellow and deep burgundy red with gold
Foliage color: Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
Bloom time: Early to midseason
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate, drought tolerant once established
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8

Irises

Iris 'Pirate Ahoy'

Pirate Ahoy Iris

Iris 'Pirate Ahoy' is a tall bearded iris with bold, ruffled flowers that bloom from early to midseason. Bright lemon-yellow standards rise above deep burgundy-red falls, creating a dramatic two-tone effect. A broad golden-yellow starburst spreads outward from the center of each fall, surrounding prominent gold beards and illuminating the otherwise dark lower petals. Upright, sword-shaped green foliage provides a clean backdrop for the strongly contrasting flowers.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate, drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Early to midseason

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Mediterranean Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Spirea · Dwarf mugo pine · Catmint · Blanket flower · Blue fescue · Sedum · Creeping thyme

Design tip

Give 'Pirate Ahoy' enough open space for its strong two-tone flowers to register clearly rather than surrounding it with competing colors. Repeating its golden yellow elsewhere in the border creates continuity, while deep green foliage emphasizes the dark burgundy falls.