Iris pallida 'Variegata' (Zebra Iris) - This evergreen Iris displays yellowish-white variegation on the broad gray-green leaves that reach 18 to 30 inches tall. The pale lavender-blue flowers with yellow beards appear in the late spring and early summer and have a delicious grape soda fragrance.
This plant does best in full coastal sun or light shade with moist soil and is hardy to below 0 degrees F - reports are that it can grow in USDA Zone 3a - down to about -40°F. Remove older leaves as new leave emerge in spring to tidy it up and divide clumps every 3 to 4 years or as needed. A very attractive plant for the perennial garden, along the border of in containers and it does not seem to be attractive to deer or rabbits.
Iris pallida is one of the so called Dalmation Irises because it is native to the Velebit Mountains of Dalmatia, a province of Croatia and is also found in the southern Alps and the Istrian Peninsula in the Crimea. The specific epithet comes from the pale flower color which is pallid compared to the darker Iris germanica. This selection has been in cultivation since 1901 and has proved itself to be a reliable garden plant. It is sometimes grown under the invalid name of Iris pallida 'Aureo-Vaiegata'. We grew and sold this plant from 1995 until 2013 and continue to grow the white variegated form called Iris pallida 'Argentea Variegata'.
The information about Iris pallida 'Variegata' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |