ESPRIT LÉGER

Years of research were needed to obtain this rare jewel which offers a striking and clear contrast: practically pure white standards with an almost imperceptible violet border and jet-black falls with golden yellow beards. These wide flowers are ruffled on the edges and stand on a well branched stalk. Previewed at the 2012 edition of the Chelsea Flower Show, they were a huge success with the new varieties enthusiasts.

Radiant and sparkling, as was Dominique herself... the colours of this iris have an unforgettable "joie de vivre": pure bright yellow standards, white falls with a wide yellow border creeping towards the centre. Golden yellow beards. Quite rounded flowers with crimped edges like its parent "Just Before Dawn". Quite a short stem but well-branched.

Indeed, slightly mysterious: strongly ruffled standards, yellow to light brown, amply washed with light purplish violet; wide, lemony white falls with a soft yellow border and dandelion yellow beards. Stems from 'Crowned Heads', a Dykes medalist.

Bright and attractive combination: pure yellow standards on light purple falls tinted anilin and decorated with a narrow bronze rim. Orange-yellow beards edged with bronze. Medium-sized flowers and good count of buds.

Salmon standards lightly tinted brown along the edges. Creamy apricot falls with a wide magenta border spreading out into fine lines towards the tangerine beards and their superb magenta spurs. Impressive branching with an abundance of flowers (10 buds on average).

Ecru yellow standards and greenish yellow falls deeper on their edge. Violet beards tipped mustard with dark violet horns extending an inch or more from the beards. Variety which blooms prolifically.