- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 12 - 24 Inches
- Mature Spread 12 - 24 Inches
- Growing Zones 4 - 8
Landscapes with ponds, streams, rain gardens and more can display the graceful leaves and blooms of Variegated Japanese Water Iris (Iris ensata Variegata) in early summer. Although these irises thrive in water, they also grow well in gardens with consistent moisture from irrigation, runoff, or even in drier soils, once they have finished blooming.
Water irises are graceful as it is, but this variety adds to their elegance with wide green and white striped narrow leaves. The leaves rise nearly as high as the deep purple flowers–a foot or two above the ground. Line a pond or moist border with these stunning rhizomes in zones 4 through 8. And be sure to cut some of the flowers to bring inside for an arrangement or on their own in a frog vase.
Variegated Japanese Water Iris Care
If you already have a spot in your landscape that gets at least 4 hours of sun a day and stays wet along the edge of a pond or for other reasons, make room for a group of Variegated Japanese Water Iris. If you plan to place the irises in a pond, place them in a shallow and wide plastic pot. Line a layer of natural soil in the bottom of the pot and place the rhizome near the top of the pot so that it shows some above the soil. Before placing the pot in the pond, you can add some pea gravel to contain the soil.
Water the plant for a week or two until you see new growth before placing it in the pond. If planting your iris where it will not receive consistent water, be sure to water regularly during its growing season. Feed with a flower and rose fertilizer in spring and summer to help promote flowering.
Variegated Japanese Water Iris Spacing
These plants grow in a clump, so plant three rhizomes in a group close together, then leave some space between the next clump. Every year or two, repot the irises in autumn, dividing and adding pots or locations as necessary.
Variegated Japanese Water Iris Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 12 - 24 Inches |
Mature Spread: 20 - 24 Inches |
Spacing: 20 - 24 Inches |
Habit: Clumping |
Flower Color(s): Purple |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: Late June Or Early July |
Foliage Type: Variegated |
Foliage Color(s): Green, White |
Foliage Description: Variegated |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Bees, Hummingbirds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Containers, Mass Planting, Wetland Areas & Ponds, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Brand: |
Common Name: Variegated Japanese Water Iris |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: IRIS ENSATA `VARIEGATA` |
- SKU:
- 1002815-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.