I grow lots of Iris cristata selections and cultivars, wonderful plants for New England woodland gardens. A couple years ago, I added two white-flowered cultivars, 'Montrose White' and 'Precious Pearl'. To show just how different two "alba" forms can be, click on this landscape photo, on the left is the delicate 'Precious Pearl', on the right is the very large-flowered 'Montrose White'.
Iris cristata 'Precious Pearl' has flowers that are ever so slightly tinged blue, difficult to capture the color photographically. This is a 2013 Schmieder introduction.
One of the few photos where I was able to capture the subtle blue tinge on 'Precious Pearl'
When the flowers on 'Precious Pearl' first open, the buds more clearly show the slight blue infusion.
Mature patches of 'Precious Pearl' enjoying dapple shade/sun in Joe Pye Weed's garden.
Iris cristata 'Montrose White' is a strong grower, with very large flowers of beautiful form, and brilliant yellow crests, perhaps the best white. Here, the flowers are just beginning to open.
Iris cristata 'Montrose White' in fine full flower, this patch just 1 year after planting, from a single 3" pot.
