Scientific Name:
Iris pallida
'Variegata'
Pronunciation:
EYE-riss PAL-ih-duh
Common Name:
variegated sweet iris
Family Name:
Iridaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal from rhizome (fan-like arrangement at the base) and alternate on flowering stem, linear, 30-60cm long x 2.5-5cm wide, light grayish-green with one-sided creamy variegation; flowers 7-12cm wide, blue-purple with yellow beards.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Group or mass planting, Perennial border, Summer interest, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Distinctive smell
Colour in Summer:
Green, Silver / Grayish
Shapes:
Other
Apices:
Acute
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated, Fragrant
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Ligulate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue, Violet, Purple
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
The outer petal-like sepals (called falls) are broad, bearded, and spread out; three inner petals (called standards) that are typically more upright; the three stigma branches also appear petal-like
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct, Nov
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
n/a
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
