Grape Moon

Grape Moon is a Standard Dwarf Bearded (SDB) iris hybridized by Paul Black. It was registered and introduced in 2022. This compact iris variety has a registered height of 15 inches (38 cm), making it ideal for smaller gardens or containers. It blooms in the early to mid-season, displaying its charming flowers during that time. The flower form of Grape Moon is characterized as standard dwarf bearded, indicating its smaller stature and distinctive beard on the lower petals. Grape Moon exhibits a lovely color combination in its blooms. The standards (upper petals) are light pink, adding a delicate and soft touch to the flowers. The falls (lower petals) are light buff, featuring a large half moon spot in mid slate violet. The contrasting colors create an eye-catching display. The beard color of Grape Moon is mid tangerine, providing a vibrant and complementary accent to the overall flower composition. The style arms, which are the upper parts of the flower's structure, have a light peach pink color, enhancing the harmony of the bloom's color palette. In terms of fragrance, Grape Moon has a slight sweet scent, adding an additional sensory element to its appeal. Grape Moon is a perennial iris, meaning it returns year after year, bringing its showy flowers to the garden. It thrives in a range of soil pH preferences, including slightly acidic (6.1 – 6.5), neutral (6.6 – 7.3), and slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8) soil conditions. With a minimum cold hardiness of Zone 3, Grape Moon can withstand extremely cold temperatures as low as -40 °C (-40 °F). It has a maximum recommended zone of Zone 8b, indicating its adaptability to various climates. The flowers of Grape Moon are showy and visually appealing, with their charming pink and violet color combination. As an amphidiploid iris, it has undergone a specific breeding process resulting in its ploidy. The parentage of Grape Moon includes various iris cultivars, such as V279A: (S289D: (Amorous Duet x Little Steps) x Riveting) and X255 violet spot sib: (Pawn x R270A: (O319A: (L264C: (Fingertips x Marksman) x M200C: (J252B: (Buddy Boy x Lumalite) x K328A: (Near Myth x Fires of Fiji))) x Circus Clown)). These parent irises have contributed to the unique characteristics and qualities of Grape Moon. Overall, Grape Moon is a charming and compact iris variety that adds a touch of elegance and beauty to any garden or landscape. Its delightful pink and violet blooms, combined with its sweet fragrance, make it a delightful addition to iris collections.