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Key characteristics

Classification: Tall Bearded Iris (TB)
Height: 3 feet
Width: 1 1/2 to 2 feet
Flower color: Violet-purple and plum-purple with large orange beards
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 'Sundown Clown'

Sundown Clown Iris

Iris 'Sundown Clown' is a tall bearded iris with ruffled flowers that open from early to midseason. Violet-purple standards are washed with lighter tones through the centers and deepen toward the edges, while the falls are rich plum-purple with a dark, nearly black wash. Large orange beards provide a warm accent against the deeply colored petals. The blooms carry a slight spicy fragrance. Upright, sword-shaped green foliage forms tidy fans beneath the flowering stems.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate; drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Early to midseason

Find this plant

Works well in

Cottage Gardens
Borders
Cut Flower Gardens
Walkways
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Mock orange · Shrub roses · Foxglove · Coreopsis · Russian sage · Dianthus · Creeping thyme

Design tip

Place 'Sundown Clown' against pale foliage, stonework, or lighter flowers so its deep coloring remains clearly visible from a distance. Repeating a few clumps through the planting creates continuity while preventing the dark blooms from becoming concentrated in one visually heavy area.