Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris 'What Again': A 1990 Ensminger Encore

Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris 'What Again'

Hybridized by Ensminger and registered in 1990, Iris 'What Again' bears a name of bemused repetition—perhaps referencing the hybridizer's surprise at a repeat seedling performance, or the gardener's delighted "What? Again?" at its reliable return each spring. This 1990 SDB from the Ensminger program captures the class's endearing reliability.

Botanical Classification

• Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
• Genus: Iris (EYE-ris)
• Cultivar: 'What Again'
• Type: Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)

1990s SDB Refinement

By 1990, SDB breeding had achieved remarkable sophistication. Modern SDBs show: near-TB flower quality on dwarf stems, heavy substance, ruffling/lace, high bud counts (3–5 per stalk), and an expanded color range including complex patterns. Ensminger's 'What Again' (1990) would exhibit these advances in a compact 8–16 inch package.

Garden Value

The name 'What Again' speaks to the SDB's greatest virtue: reliable, early, abundant bloom that asks little and gives much. These are the "plant and forget" stars of the early spring border. Color could be anything in the SDB spectrum; the name emphasizes performance over hue. Ensminger cultivars are known for clean foliage and vigorous increase.

Culture

Standard SDB culture. Full sun, gritty well-drained soil, shallow planting. Ideal for: rock gardens, alpine troughs, border edges, pathway plantings. Divide every 2–3 years. A cultivar whose name captures the joy of the early iris season—when the first 'What Again' blooms, you know the iris year has truly begun.