Tall Bearded Iris 'Altruist': Generous Beauty from Schreiner's Legacy

The Tall Bearded Iris 'Altruist' lives up to its noble name, generously sharing its beauty with the late spring garden year after year. Introduced in 1987 by the legendary Schreiner family, this cultivar carries the hallmark of one of America's most storied iris breeding programs—a legacy that spans generations and has produced countless award-winning introductions.

Visual Characteristics

Cultivar Profile

Growing Notes

Schreiner's Iris Gardens, founded in the 1920s in Oregon, has been synonymous with quality tall bearded irises for nearly a century. Their introductions are consistently characterized by strong garden performance, high bud counts, well-branched stems, and vigorous increase. 'Altruist' (1987) represents the modern Schreiner standard—reliable, floriferous, and beautiful. Tall bearded irises are the latest-blooming of the bearded classes, typically flowering in May-June. They require a period of winter chill to bloom well, making them less suitable for the deep South (zones 9-10) without pre-chilling. In hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial. The rhizomes should be lifted and divided every 3-4 years in late summer to prevent overcrowding and maintain flower size and quality.