Tall Bearded Iris 'Coral Sunset': Tropical Glow from Schreiner's Palette

The Tall Bearded Iris 'Coral Sunset' paints the late spring garden with the warm, glowing hues of a tropical evening. Introduced in 1990 by Schreiner, this cultivar captures the fleeting magic of sunset over coral reefs, translating it into a hardy, temperate-climate perennial of exceptional beauty.

Visual Characteristics

Cultivar Profile

Growing Notes

Schreiner's 'Coral Sunset' (1990) represents the early 1990s mastery of coral and peach tones in tall bearded irises—colors that were notoriously difficult to achieve without muddy undertones. The Schreiner program was instrumental in developing clear, clean coral TBs with good substance and stem strength. Coral and peach irises are exceptionally versatile in garden design—they bridge warm and cool color schemes, harmonizing with blues, purples, yellows, and whites equally well. They're particularly effective in "sunset" themed plantings with orange geum, yellow coreopsis, red hot pokers, and purple salvia. Tall bearded irises require a dedicated planting area with full sun and sharp drainage. They do not compete well with aggressive perennials or tree roots. The rhizomes must be planted shallowly, with the top exposed. This is non-negotiable—buried rhizomes rot and fail to bloom. Space 18-24 inches apart for air circulation and future increase.