The Variegated Sweet Iris, otherwise known as the Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ or Dalmatian Iris ‘Variegata’, Sweet Iris ‘Variegata’, Zebra Iris ‘Variegata’, Iris pallida foliis variegatis, Iris pallida ‘Aurea’, Iris pallida ‘Aurea Variegata’, Iris pallida ‘Variegata Aurea’, is a rather well known perennial plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world.
Best known for its low maintenance and moderate growth, this perennial will likely liven up your house (or garden) with its variegated colored leaves. But, only if you learn how to take proper care of it for it to thrive.
Fortunately, this is exactly what we’ll cover in this Variegated Sweet Iris Care Guide. So let’s dive in.
In order to take proper care of your Variegated Sweet Iris you’ll need to keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Water: The Variegated Sweet Iris wants regular watering to enhance fruit production but as a landscape plant, too much water will be a problem.
- Light: Keep your Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ in an environment where it can receive partial to full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Make sure to keep the Variegated Sweet Iris in soil with well-draining properties, so ideally, one that is made of loam.
And as with many other plants we have analyzed, these are the only three care factors you need to remember to make sure your Variegated Sweet Iris is, for the most part, healthy and well to survive.
Scientific / Botanical Aspects
In botanical terms, the Variegated Sweet Iris belongs to the Iridaceae family, the genus Iris and the species Pallida, hence its scientific (or botanical) name Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ (EYE-riss PAL-ih-duh).
As with other Iris’s, the Variegated Sweet Iris is a herbaceous plant, which means it will die back to the ground every year.
Growing Region
The Variegated Sweet IrisCroatia and Europe.
Knowing your plant’s native region is very useful, as it can give you tips on which environment is best for your Variegated Sweet Iris. If you keep it in mind, you can try to replicate these conditions at home, and you’ll likely end with a healthier plant.
With this in mind, the Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ will be most used to the heat zones in the 1 – 9 region, as the plant hardiness level falls between 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a and the ideal climate zone is between 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17.
Growth and Size
Growth
In terms of size and growth, the Variegated Sweet Iris is a relatively moderate grower, which makes things somewhat easy for any plant enthusiast.
Size
But, how big does the Variegated Sweet Iris actually get? What should you expect in terms of size? Let’s dive right in…
The Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ can grow up to 2′ – 3′ (60cm – 90cm) in 2′ – 3′ (60cm – 90cm) and 1′ – 2′ (30cm – 60cm) in 1′ – 2′ (30cm – 60cm).
These dimensions make the Variegated Sweet Iris a relatively medium perennial compared to others, so it’s best to keep this fact in mind since it will affect where you want to keep yours at home.
This is why experts recommend keeping an area of approximately 18″ (45cm) free so the Variegated Sweet Iris can spread to its best extent.
Water
In terms of watering, the Variegated Sweet Iris is a fairly complicated plant to take care of.
This is mostly because it has a not so straightforward watering schedule and somewhat regular watering needs.
Specifically, most experts agree that the Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ wants regular watering to enhance fruit production but as a landscape plant, too much water will be a problem.
Which is why it is considered a plant with relatively average needs in terms of water.
Watering
As a rule of thumb, you should remember to keep your Variegated Sweet Iris in soil with well-draining characteristics, as these will guarantee the right conditions for your plant to grow and thrive.
When you consider this, this is why you should aim to choose soil that has good drainage, and moist properties to keep the right moisture levels at all times.
But, if you want a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to watering your Variegated Sweet Iris then you should consider the famous ‘finger’ test. To perform this test, you just need to put your finger in your plant’s soil and determine if it’s moist or not. If it is, then don’t water; if it isn’t, then please do. In any case, this test will allow you to know if your Variegated Sweet Iris needs or does not need water, every time.
Soil Mix
As mentioned earlier, the Variegated Sweet Iris prefers to have soil with good drainage, and moist properties at all times, reason why you need to make the soil mix out of loam.
This is why most experts agree that the Variegated Sweet Iris requires soil with high organic matter, which will give you the right conditions it needs.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably neutral to acid soil.
Light and Exposure
In terms of light & exposure, the Variegated Sweet Iris requires partial to full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions.
Most experts agree that this perennial will do well as long as you keep it in partial to full sun, and it will be able to grow properly.
Specifically, we recommend that you place your Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ in little to partial shade (only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight a day), to full and direct sun (more 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).
Season
Being a herbaceous plant, the Variegated Sweet Iris will die back to the ground every year.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (late).
Flowers
You can expect your Variegated Sweet Iris to flower around the spring and in the summer months from April to June (spring), and from July to September (summer).
In particular, this perennial is well known for its fragrant, flowers for cutting and showy flowers around the plant enthusiast community.
The Variegated Sweet Iris produces some beautiful blue, or blue and purple/lavender flowers around this time of year.
Foliage
The leaves from the Variegated Sweet Iris have a beautiful variegated color during most of the year.
Attracts, Tolerance and Resistance
The Variegated Sweet Iris is well known for being able to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, so keep that in mind when choosing your plant, as you’ll likely end up finding one or another in your garden.
Additionally, it has a special tolerance for salt, drought and animals like rabbit and deer, so don’t worry if any of these come along, your Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ will be fine.
Garden
Now, let’s talk garden and how your Variegated Sweet Iris will look best in it.
Most Iris Pallida ‘Variegata’ owners agree that this perennial will look great in most cottage, asian/zen contemporary, and rustic gardens of all types.
Other owners consider that they complement well most gardens of coastal garden, city and courtyard, and in informal and cottage styles.
In particular, the Variegated Sweet Iris’s best location within your garden is in beds and borders, and in wall-side borders, others use it for landscaping in a erosion control, border, cutting garden, or a woodland garden.
Companion Plants
Variegated Sweet Iris’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Echinacea, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice Chelone will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
And we’ve come to an end. Fortunately, that’s everything you need to know about your Variegated Sweet Iris to keep it safe and sound in your garden or home. Enjoy planting!
