Striped Iris – Fantastic Foliage

February 7, 2019 Spring Perennials

striped iris

Striped Iris or Iris Pallidas are grown for their low clumps of dramatic leaves. The attractive Iris clump of sword-like variegated foliage with vertical striping of gold, cream, white and bluish green foliage adds interest to any style of garden. Iris ‘Aurea Variegata’ sports brash golden striping and is more robust.  ‘Argentea Variegata’ with its quieter, elegant colors of white and bluish-green striping grows slower and smaller.

Aurea Variegata

striped iris
Iris ‘Aurea’ requires dividing every four years to keep it healthy and blooming. Late summer is the best time to divide. When replanting the iris bulbs, leave the tops of the rhizomes slightly above the ground. Fertilize Iris six-weeks after blooming–about the time the rhizome is taking up nutrients in preparation for next season’s blooms.

Argentea Variegata

striped iris
Argentea Variegata is accented with a subtle blue coloring in its stripes. Its blue flowers bloom abundantly in late spring to early summer, but are best known for their sweet fragrance. Children recognize immediately that the scent is similar to grape Kool-aid.

Flowers are fleeting but great foliage is forever. Striped Iris has that great foliage. Unlike most other varieties of Iris which look ratty after blooming, Striped Iris foliage still looks pristine until the ground is covered with snow. In warmer climates, Striped Iris often stays evergreen. Many commercial landscapes are incorporating variegated irises into their landscapes because the foliage holds well, and the striking leaf variegation is an instant eye-catcher in the garden. Foliage care is minimal. Remove any spent flower stems, and that’s all. Trim Iris in the spring.

Where to plant Striped Iris

striped iris and zinnias
The Iris foliage has stayed pristine all season and here it is shown with the late fall blooms of Sedum, Autumn Joy, in the background and Zinnia Profusion fronting.

Striped Iris with their striking foliage brings focal point accents to the perennial border. The stiff, upright shape of Zebra Iris contrasts well with the mounded shapes of other Perennials. The variegated coloring stands out and is especially striking with solid-colored foliage, especially any plant with bronze or purple foliage.

striped iris in a spring garden
Notice where your eyes focus when looking at the above photo. They go right to the white shades of the Striped Iris. Zebras also make excellent rock garden plants and with their hardiness, are stunning in containers.

Iris grows best in full sun; however, the striped Iris tolerates partial shade and clay soils. Once established, the striped Iris is very drought-tolerant and maintenance free. The flowers, with their small yellow beards, are an invitation to pollinators. Zebra Iris is very hardy compared to regular iris varieties and is pest, rabbit, and deer-resistant. This, along with its hardiness, makes it an excellent choice for the High Mountain Valley gardens of the Rocky Mountains.

striped iris blooming

Watch as Lor from Garden Answer creates a beautiful garden makeover with Striped Iris.

More about Nedra Secrist

My native roots are Northern Utah and my native naturalized roots are in Idaho around Bear Lake. In other words, I garden in challenging areas of the high valleys of the Rocky Mountains and feel gardeners need a place they can ask questions to help understand and solve the environmental dilemmas that western gardeners face. As a teacher and gardener, my life has centered on kids and flowers, God’s greatest, most perfect triumphs. I feel blessed that both have been the focus of my life.

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