Iris laevigata 'Variegata' (Japanese Iris) — Clump-forming, upright

Overview

Iris laevigata 'Variegata' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous foliage. Iris laevigata 'Variegata' grows best in full sun; some tolerate partial shade, and tolerates loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7. It is native to Japan.

About

Iris laevigata 'Variegata' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the iris family. It carries sword-shaped leaves that are often glaucous and may be deciduous or evergreen in different situations. Flowering occurs from May to July. It suits sun or part-shade positions on neutral to slightly alkaline soils.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Iris laevigata

About the genus

Iris takes its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and for once the naming feels entirely earned. I can't think of another genus that covers so much ground — inky purples, burnt apricots, clean whites, blues that seem lit from inside — or so many situations. There are bearded irises that want their rhizomes baked in full sun, Siberian types happy in ordinary border soil, and species that will sit contentedly at the edge of a pond. What they share is the flower: three petals standing up, three falling away, built with a kind of architectural confidence most plants never attempt. Even out of bloom the foliage earns its place — those upright fans of blue-green leaves hold a border together for months. I grow them for the fortnight in May and June when nothing else in the garden can compete, and I've made my peace with that. Some plants are for the long haul. An iris is an event.

Written by Henry

In the garden

A member of the Iridaceae native to Japan, Iris laevigata 'Variegata' forms upright clumps of sword-shaped foliage that can be either deciduous or hold through the season. It flowers in the UK from May to July, producing its display on short stems above the leaf plane. Give it a sunny to partly shaded spot and aim for neutral to slightly alkaline soil; a south- or west-facing position helps the plant reach its potential. While many irises will do well in sharply drained mixes, Japanese and Siberian types require moisture-retentive conditions rather than the dry, gravelly soil favoured by bearded irises. Use loam, chalk or sandy soils amended to hold moisture without waterlogging. Hardiness ranges H5–H7, so it is classed from hardy to fully hardy and will survive winters across most of the UK. Exposure can be either sheltered or quite open; choose a site where the crown stays consistently moist through the growing season to support regular flowering. Expect the main display in late spring and early summer, and avoid allowing the crown to dry out in drought years to preserve vigour into the following season.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight: Full sun; some tolerate partial shade
Soil type: Loam, chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained; Siberian and Japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H5–H7

Plant details

Iris laevigata 'Variegata' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright
Foliage: Deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous
Native to: Japan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris laevigata 'Variegata'

Cultivation: Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.
Propagation: Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.
Pest resistance: Generally trouble-free, though iris sawfly and slugs damage foliage and thrips can disfigure buds.
Disease resistance: Prone to leaf spot, and to rhizome rot wherever drainage is poor or planting too deep.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Iris laevigata 'Variegata'?

Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.

Where is the best place to plant Iris laevigata 'Variegata'?

Iris laevigata 'Variegata' prefers full sun; some tolerate partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Iris laevigata 'Variegata' need?

Iris laevigata 'Variegata' grows best in loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soil. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained; siberian and japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil.

How do I prune Iris laevigata 'Variegata'?

Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.

Is Iris laevigata 'Variegata' hardy in the UK?

Iris laevigata 'Variegata' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.

How do I propagate Iris laevigata 'Variegata'?

Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.

More in the Iris genus

Browse all Iris →