Variegated Japanese Water Iris

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1-2 Feet

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 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.