Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
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:
- 1231002815-pc
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.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!