ORIGINATOR: Schreiner

INTRODUCED: 1954

CLASS: Tall Bearded

HEIGHT: 40"

BLOOM SEASON: Mid to Late

DESCRIPTION: Violet self, intense indigo self with red sheen.

PARENTAGE: Combination of very dark seedlings, parentage unknown.

AWARDS: HM'54

INTERESTING INFO: From the 1954 Schreiner's Iris Lovers Catalog: Iris have made more progress toward actual blackness than any other flower, several recent developments having falls that are literally black. Without question Top Hat is by far the largest and tallest of the black Iris, measuring nearly 7 inches when fully expanded. The broadly rounded blooms haver excellent form. Coloring is uniform into the very heart of the flower with no haft markings and with a dark, subduded beard. The broad, velvety falls are very luxurious. Garden vistors, including Iris judges, beat a path to Top Hat. Destined for top popularity. $20.00