Iris ensata ‘Variegata’ has striking, green and cream, vertically variegated leaf blades and large violet purple blooms. A hardy perennial, Iris ensata ‘Variegata’ blooms in early midsummer. This cultivar is worth growing for the foliage alone.

Iris ensata ‘Variegata’ prefers sun and moist to wet soil during the growing season. Also known as Japanese Iris, Iris ensata thrives in standing water (up to 6 deep) in summer. However, in winter it is intolerant of both standing water and boggy soils where the rhizomes may rot.