Payne Medal 2003, awarded by the American Iris Society

Plant ‘Lion King’, a beardless Japanese iris, in late summer to early fall, and in early summer of the following season, it puts on a spectacular show with gigantic 7- to 8-inch fully double flowers that display a white throat, a sunny yellow signal, and beautifully ruffled petals having a feathery grape-purple edge. ‘Lion King’ often flaunts up to 3 buds per stem. Borne on tall, stately stems, the flowers sit atop narrow, grass-like foliage, which stays fresh-looking all season and is itself an attractive garden feature. The nectar- and pollen-rich flowers attract and sustain bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They also make elegant, long-lasting cuts for summer bouquets.

‘Lion King’ grows rapidly, making it a great option for instant color. A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial, it also spreads and multiplies every year. Although it makes an excellent specimen, it is sho