Star Fleet (Keppel, 1992) TB HM

Star Fleet is a tall bearded iris introduced by Keith Keppel in 1992, growing about 38 inches tall and blooming in the late midseason garden. The standards are a rich mulberry purple, while the falls are a slightly deeper Canterbury purple with subtle reddish tones along the margins and a dark rosy brown suffusion on the hafts. The beards range from tomato red to orange vermilion and are tipped with lavender, creating a vivid focal point against the dark petals. Bred from an extensive Keppel seedling lineage that includes Arctic Flame, Rippling Waters, Gypsy Lullaby, Firewater, and Orangerie, this variety reflects the complex breeding work of the era. Star Fleet received the Honorable Mention in 1995. Rebloom has been reported in California under favorable conditions.