What: Iris ensata “Variegata,” known as variegated Japanese iris, is a lovely and elegant moderately slow growing perennial with beautiful flowers and striking foliage. The dark purple flowers are held on white variegated stems well above the leaves in early summer. The long narrow foliage shows pure white and mint-green variegation from the time it emerges from the ground in early spring until it dies down in autumn. Each leaf is ⅓ to ½ striped white with the remaining leaf streaked mint and green. The variegation is bright, but not gaudy.
Where: This iris grows best in full sun and will tolerate a wide range of soils including clay and sand, but does not like to dry out for long periods of time. It will tolerate moist to wet soils.
Size: Variegated Japanese iris will grow to be 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide in 10 years.
Care: “Variegata” foliage can be cut to the ground in fall once it begins to yellow. It is a slower grower than most iris and will only need to be divided every four to five years. This will keep the vigor and flowering at its best.
— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks
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