Benton Iris by Cedric Morris

The artist-plantsman Cedric Morris is perhaps best known for his flower paintings, particularly of irises. Cedric was principally a painter, but also an avid and experimental plantsman.  He bred tall bearded irises, naming 90 cultivars, many of which carry the ‘Benton’ prefix. He won the Foster Plaque for Iris breeding in 1949 and gained the highest accolade, the Dykes Medal for his Iris ‘Benton Cordelia’.

Over the years I have massed a considerable collection of his iris, which often feature at Chelsea Flower Show.