ALTAI LEADER

Altai Leader is a hardy Russian hybrid that is quickly gaining popularity in gardens of moderate climates due to its bright and saturated coloration. The bush reaches a height of 80 to 110 cm, with a width of approximately 50–70 cm, and leaves have a sword-like shape, about 70–80 cm long, light green in color with thin yellow veins.

The scape of this iris is simple and sturdy. The inner segments are colored with lilac shades, the outer ones are initially light brown with lilac veins, then transition to light lilac with white spots and end with a bright lilac. The petals have a saturated blue color with a purple sheen, and the center of the bract is yellow, sometimes with small fragments. The flower diameter is about 10 cm, and the height is 9 cm.

Blooming begins in mid-June (June 15–25) and lasts approximately 15–20 days, while up to three buds can bloom on one scape. The plant is winter-hardy, easily propagated vegetatively, and is perfect for mixed borders, decorative flower beds, and garden compositions thanks to its bright coloration and long blooming period.