Irises and Shakespeare

One of the nicest plicata tall bearded irises ever introduced (and the
earliest to bloom!) is Keith Keppel's GENTLE RAIN.  Although now considered
an "older" iris, its early bloom and great vigor still make it a valuable
garden asset. I have always thought its name to be near perfection, since it
comes from Portia's speech in A Merchant of Venice, i.e. "The quality of
mercy is not strain'd, it droppeth on the earth as gentle rain....."
 Clarence Mahan in VA
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