Variegated Japanese Iris (Iris ensata 'Variegata')
EYE-riss en-SAY-tah 'Variegata'

Deciduous Perennial in the Iridaceae Family
 
Buy Variegated Japanese Iris
Size Notes Price Availability
#1 gallon Field $15.54

Vigorous clump of green and white striped leaves, graceful wide purple flowers.

Iris ensata, also known as the Japanese iris or Kaempfer's iris, is a stunning species of iris native to eastern Asia. Here are the key details about this beautiful perennial plant:

Foliage: Iris ensata forms lush, upright clumps of broad, sword-shaped green leaves that can grow 2-3 feet tall.

Flowers: The showstopping feature of this iris is its large, flattened flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers come in a wide range of colors including white, purple, blue, pink, and red, often featuring contrasting veining or markings.

Growth Habit: Japanese iris is a rhizomatous perennial that forms thick, spreading colonies over time. Mature clumps can reach 2-3 feet in height and width.

Cultural Needs: This iris prefers consistently moist, acidic soils and full sun to partial shade conditions. It does best in boggy areas or with regular supplemental watering.

Native Habitat: In the wild, Iris ensata is found growing naturally in wetland habitats across eastern Asia, including Japan, Korea, and northeastern China.

Landscape Use: The Japanese iris makes an excellent focal point, border plant, or specimen in water gardens, bog gardens, and moist perennial beds. Its tall, striking flowers also work well in cut flower arrangements.

Wildlife Value: The showy, nectar-rich flowers of Iris ensata attract a variety of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The foliage also provides cover for small animals.

Overall, Iris ensata is a stunning, large-flowered iris species that adds bold texture and vivid color to moist garden settings. Its adaptability to wet soils makes it a valuable addition to rain gardens and other water-conscious landscapes.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 5a - 8b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Deciduous, Full Sun, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period June
Flower Color Purple
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!