Papa Beni

(M. Sutton ‘24)  TB 32” M-L  Yellow orange standards and falls with yellow orange veining extending down into a wide beetroot purple band at the edges.  Tangerine beards, 7 buds, slight sweet scent and well balanced but shorter stalks.  Named in honor of Papa Beni, Benancio Maldonado, who was a husband, father, grandfather with a deep love of his family and his garden. Papa Beni was a farmer, rancher, worked in construction, proud to be a naturalized US citizen. Without apparent means, he was able to provide for and college educate his 8 children. He especially enjoyed helping, his wife, Mama Quel, the love of his life, with growing iris’s which were entered and won many awards in Iris Shows. Mama Quel, was honored by an iris being named for her in 2023 and Suttons continues this honor by naming one for Papa Beni. We, their 8 children and 11 grandchildren are overjoyed at having this beautiful iris named for our Papa Beni.