The tall Bearded Iris is a classic, stately plant that became the symbol of French royalty, depicted in stylized fashion as the fleur-de-lis. No wonder, when you look at this striking plicata. A "plicata" is an iris with a light background color on the falls and standards, and a darker color stitched around the edges. Plicatas are not new--the oldest documented example dates from 1612--but the arresting coloration remains as appealing today. This one, edged with medium purple is a stunner.