Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby' - Tall, narrow leaves emerge violet-purple in spring, just beautiful with variegated or gold-leaved plants; position with broader, mounding plants with differently colored leaves and double the contrast and impact. The vertical foliage gradually becomes infused with green as they mature, by early summer. Relatively large blue-purple iris flowers on deep, dark ebony-purple stems covered in a glaucous bloom arrive in June. 'Gerald Darby' is an I. versicolor x I. virginica hybrid. Site in full sun planted in fertile, moist soil. 'Gerald Darby' tolerates wet feet. Division.