Roman Emperor

2025 New Iris

We are delighted to be introducing the striking Roman Emperor, a Parma-Violet Blue Bearded Iris, exclusive to the English Iris Company and never previously available commercially.

This new iris is a great addition to our  Award Winning Collection. Firstly this is an iris with real impact, a highly distinctive parma-violet blue iris winning the UK Dykes Medal for iris hybridising in 1985.  Secondly it complements and extends our existing range of outstanding ‘Cools‘. Roman Emperor is a mid flowering variety, spanning both early and late bloom periods.

Named by my father after the colour of the distinctive toga worn by roman emperors.

Building Your Collection

This exceptional Parma Violet Blue Self has perfect flower shape and classic ‘Dodsworth ‘branching, and is an important addition to our stylish and versatile ‘Cools’ Collection.

Mixing with other Colours

Our Irises combine clear clean colours, great branching and perfect flower shape to create a ‘Perfect’ Iris.

This Parma-Violet Blue Bearded Iris is great as a standalone plant. However, consider using it with other ‘Cools’, try it with different ‘blues’, the deep blue, almost indigo, Wharfedale. And use it for contrast with Darley Dale  and Jessica Rosalind . If you want to be bold and experiment, plant it with William of Orange for real impact.

Again, if Pink is your colour, you can always add one of the early flowering flowering ‘Pinks’ Eileen Louise  before finishing with a late season flourish including Sherwood Pink and Century Pink.

Top Tip

Roman Emperor-Parma-Violet Blue Bearded Iris with a combination Cools (Jessica Rosalind and Wharfedale) and then add the late flowering ‘Pinks’ (Sherwood Pink and Century Pink) and Grey-White Hen Harrier for a spectacular late flowering display.

Registered in 1980 by Bryan Dodsworth. Tall Bearded Iris 40″ (102 cm). Mid Bloom; Parma-Violet Self, blue beard. Slightly Ruffled. Sterling Silver X Matinata. UK Dykes Medal 1985.

£18.50

In stock