Tall Bearded Iris 'Apollo One': Celestial Beauty for the Garden Olympus

The Tall Bearded Iris 'Apollo One' ascends to garden greatness with the radiant beauty befitting its namesake—the Greek god of light, music, and prophecy. Introduced in 1995 by Sutton, this cultivar represents the stellar quality that has characterized Sutton's breeding program, which has produced numerous award-winning tall bearded irises.

Visual Characteristics

Cultivar Profile

Growing Notes

Sutton's tall bearded iris introductions are known for their refined form, clear colors, and strong garden constitution. 'Apollo One' (1995) benefits from the cumulative advances of late 20th-century TB breeding: wider falls and standards, more pronounced ruffling and lacing, higher bud counts on well-branched stems, and improved substance that withstands weather. Tall bearded irises are the showstoppers of the late spring garden, with stems typically reaching 28-40 inches. They create essential vertical architecture in perennial borders and make spectacular cut flowers. For longest vase life, cut stems early in the morning when the first bud is just opening, and place immediately in cool water. The remaining buds will open sequentially over several days.