Description of Iris ensata 'Variegata' (Variegated Japenses Water Iris)

Iris ensata 'Variegata' is a variegated Japanese iris grown for striped foliage and large summer flowers. It’s useful if you want interest even before it blooms, and it fits well into bog gardens that stay consistently moist.

Appearance

It forms upright fans of cream-striped leaves. In early to mid summer it produces large flat flowers on tall stems. Height is often 70 to 100cm in flower, with foliage forming a strong clump below.

Care Guide

It needs steady moisture, especially in spring and early summer when buds form.

• Sun: Full sun for best flowering.
• Soil: Humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil.
• Water: Keep constantly moist. Do not let it dry while in growth.
• Feeding: A light spring feed supports flowering.
• Division: Divide in spring every few years.

If flowering drops, the clump is often crowded or has had a dry spring.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens and pond edges where soil stays wet. The variegated leaves also work well at the front of taller planting.

In liner bogs, planting in a basket makes division easy.

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