Border Bearded Iris 'Baboon Bottom': A 1993 Kasperek Whimsy

Border Bearded Iris 'Baboon Bottom'

Hybridized by Kasperek and introduced in 1993, Iris 'Baboon Bottom' is another delightfully irreverent name from Mike Kasperek's Nebraska program. The name references the distinctive bright red/pink posterior of certain baboon species—a bold, humorous choice for a Border Bearded (BB) iris that brings laughter to the garden border.

Botanical Classification

• Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
• Genus: Iris (EYE-ris)
• Cultivar: 'Baboon Bottom'
• Type: Border Bearded Iris (BB)

Border Bearded Class

BB irises stand 16–27.5 inches tall and bloom with the tall bearded irises (late spring). They offer TB-sized flowers on shorter, sturdier stems—ideal for windy sites, smaller gardens, and border fronts where TBs might overwhelm. Kasperek's 1993 BB introduction would show modern BB form: well-proportioned flowers, good branching (2–3 branches), 5–7 buds, clean foliage.

Color Speculation

"Baboon Bottom" strongly suggests a cultivar with a bright, contrasting "signal" area on the falls—perhaps a vivid red, pink, or orange patch around the beard, mimicking the baboon's colorful posterior. The rest of the flower might be a contrasting tone (white, cream, yellow, blue) for maximum comedic effect. Kasperek's humor often masks serious breeding quality.

Garden Fun

'Baboon Bottom' is a conversation starter par excellence. Plant it where the name can be read and the "punchline" (the colorful signal) appreciated. Pair with other Kasperek humor cultivars ('King Tush', 'Bewilderbeast', 'Millennium Falcon') for a "comedy border." Standard BB culture: full sun, sharp drainage, shallow planting. Divide every 3–4 years. A reminder that gardens can be both beautiful and hilarious.