Iris ensata "Silverband"

Early / Mid Season Japanese Iris.

Iris ensata " SILVERBAND "

A stunning variegated sport of Iris ensata spontanea. A very hardy iris that grows well in a garden. It can withstand a dry shady position but does better in a moist soil area in full sun.This iris produces variegated stems of small sized beautiful flowers which sit just above the foliage in early to mid season. Rich 3 petal dark purple flowers with a small bright yellow eye on the falls that stands out on the silver white and cream on green/ grayish green striking foliage. In a garden display, when planted on mass, is spectacular. It has a smaller flower size very similar to the I. ensata species with a delicate flower presentation.

This very hardy plant grows really well for me with lots of beautiful clean variegated upright foliage. It produces a heavy amount of flowering stems on a well formed stunning clump. Mainly prized for it's stunning variegated foliage. Unlike many variegated plants that revert to green in the heat of summer I. ensata "Silverband" retains its variegation throughout the entire season.

This variety was imported from Japan by Arthur Hazzard being a variegated sport of I. ensata spontanea. Synonym was I. ensata 'variegata' being registered as I. ensata "Silverband" by Robert Bauer & John Coble in 1989. It was introduced by Ensata Gardens, Michigan in 1989. The very attractive foliage on this Japanese iris won the plant an Honorable Mention Award in 1992.

It grows to a height of 90 cms (35 ins) and flowers mid season in New Zealand, while flowering in the mid to late season else where in the world. The plant does not appear to set seed readily, flowers are possibly sterile, or the plants will not come true from seed. Propagation is from division of rhizomes after flowering or in the springtime as new shoots emerge.

Available in New Zealand and around the world.

Windless Wednesday

Oh my Lotus.
My beautiful Lotus flower reaches tall to the heavens to present itself outside my bedroom window.

For 4 to 5 days from tight perfect bud to full bloom it opens in the morning sun and closed as darkness creeps in. So beautiful but such a short time in it's flowering.













I grow it in mud in a 4 foot diameter concrete water tough positioned in full sun. I cover it over winter to protect from the frost.
Each year it rewards me with up to 15 blooms and loves heaps of fertilizer to grow tall and proud.

Iris ensata " Electric Glow "

Mid Season Japanese Iris.

Iris ensata "Electric Glow"

This stunning Japanese iris grows well in a garden and can withstand a shady position.This iris produces tall stems of medium sized beautiful flowers in early to mid season. The sea blue flowers stands out in a garden display when planted on mass with it's spectacular 6 petal form of Iris ensata " Electric Glow ".

The stunning blue colour is very beautiful. Has clean sea blue petals with a lighter blue rays with a soft violet edge on the petals. It is smaller flower size but it smiles and radiates in it's colours in a garden. It stands out with its delicate flower presentation. I enjoy this one, picked to be placed in a tall vase on my dinning table. A choice variety to grace my table.

Excellent pod parent which I have used to some of my hybridizing program this season.

The plant grows really well for me with lots of beautiful clean foliage and tall ram rod stems held proudly above the upright arching foliage. It produces an abundance of flowering stems on a well formed stunning clump in early December.

This variety was created by Terry Aitken. This seedling 86J3 was produced from crossing "Electric Rays" X "Midnight Stars", being registered in 1992.

Introduced by Terry at his 'Aitken's Salmon Creek Gardens' in 1992. This very attractive Japanese iris has achieved great success after its introduction winning awards for Honorable Mention 1995, Award of Merit 1998, and the Payne Medal 2002.


It grows to a height of 97 cms (38 ins) and flowers mid season in New Zealand, while flowering in the mid to late season else where in the world.



Available in New Zealand and around the world.

* Acknowledgement: - 2003 Cumulative Check list of the Japanese Irises complied for The Society of Japanese Irises.

Iris ensata "Mammoth Marvel"

Early / Mid Season Japanese Iris.

Iris ensata " Mammoth Marvel"

This Japanese iris grows well in a garden and can withstand a shady position, please protect from the wind as the huge flowers batter themselves to death in the strong breeze.

This iris produces very tall stems of huge beautiful flowers in early to mid season. The huge white flowers stands out in a garden display with it's spectacular 6 petal form of Iris ensata " Mammoth Marvel".

The soft colour is very beautiful. Has clean white petals with a light to medium blue - violet veining through the huge petals. The styles are blue - purple with light white edges.

Very delicate in it's flower presentation.

Excellent pollen producer and pod parent which I have used to some of my hybridizing program this season.


The plant grows really well for me with lots of beautiful clean foliage and very tall ram rod stems held proudly above the upright arching foliage. It produces an abundance of flowering stems on a well formed stunning clump in late November / early December.

This variety was created by Walter Marx. This seedling 56-36 was produced from crossing two Higo seedlings being registered in 1958. Introduced in 1959.

It grows to a height of 137 cms (54 ins) and flowers early to mid season in New Zealand, while flowering in the early to mid season else where in the world.

This beautiful variety looks magic planted up to be enjoyed in the garden near your pond or any rich moist soil.

Remember to give it at least 6 hours of sun light if you can. Japanese irises are gross feeders so a good balance fertilizer in the early spring and again after flowering around the drip line of foliage will do them proud. Little and often is a good rule of thumb for fertilizers. Water in where possible to help the plant take up the bene

fits. Mulch around the plants with barely straw, pine needles or pea straw to retain moisture in soil and prevent weed growth.

Remember that Japanese Irises "Love wet toes and dry ankles" so when you are planting these take this into consideration please.

Available in New Zealand and around the world.

* Acknowledgement:
- 2003 Cumulative Check list of the Japanese Irises complied for The Society of Japanese Irises.

Iris ensata "Wind Drift"

Early / Mid Season Japanese Iris.

Iris ensata
"Wind Drift"

This Japanese iris grows well in a garden and can withstand a more dry and shady position. It produces tall stems of truly beautiful flowers which look like large white butterflies fluttering in the breeze in early to mid season. The clean white stands out in a garden display with it's spectacular 3 petal slightly ruffled form of Iris ensata " Wind Drift".

The colour is very beautiful.

A clean white lightly ruffled petals with a small yellow signal. White, variably marbled light to heavy veins of red - violet standards. Very delicate in it's flower presentation.

Excellent pollen producer which I have used to some of my hybridizing program.

The plant grows really well for me with lots of beautiful clean foliage and tall ram rod stems held proudly above the upright arching foliage.
It produces an abundance of flowering stems on a well formed stunning clump in late November / early December.

This variety was created by A. Vogt and introduced by H. Stahley in 1983, registered from seedling 812. Introduced by H. Stahley in 1984.

It grows to a height of 90 cms (36 ins) and flowers early to mid season in New Zealand and world wide.

This beautiful variety looks magic planted up to be enjoyed in the garden near your pond or any rich moist soil.

Remember to give it at least 6 hours of sun light if you can. Japanese irises are gross feeders so a good balance fertilizer in the early spring and again after flowering around the drip line of foliage will do them proud. Little and often is a good rule of thumb for fertilizers. Water in where possible to help the plant take up the benefits.





Mulch around the plants with barely straw, pine needles or pea straw to retain moisture in soil and prevent weed growth.

Remember that Japanese Irises "Love wet toes and dry ankles" so when you are planting these take this into consideration please.

Available in New Zealand and around the world.

* Acknowledgement: - 2003 Cumulative Check list of the Japanese Irises complied for The Society of Japanese Irises.

Iris ensata "Iapetus"

Early / Mid Season
Japanese Iris.

Iris ensata " Iapetus"

This Japanese iris is stunning and produces tall stems of truly beautiful flowers in mid season. It stands out in a garden display with it's spectacular 6 petal ruffled form of Iris ensata " Iapetus".

The colour is stunning. A beautiful rich wide ruffled light ground, sanded and veined deep blue - violet; blue -violet halo, deep red violet styles. Dark rich in colour when the young flower buds open and once in full bloom the sun fades it out to softer exciting colours which illuminates in the evening light. Shows signs of branching producing extra flower buds.

Excellent pollen producer and pod parent for cross pollination and production of seed. Some exciting crosses and exciting new varieties have been successfully introduced all over the world from this variety. A great hybridizers doorway to the unknown.

The plant grows really well for me with lots of beautiful clean foliage and tall ram rod stems held proudly above the upright arching foliage. It produces an abundance of flowering stems on a well formed stunning clump in late November / early December.

This variety was created and selected by Sterling Innerst in Southern PA/ Maryland. USA., registered and introduced in 1987 from seedling 928-1. It was called HORAE but this changed with registration in 1987.

928-1 is crossed with: (Narihira x Valiant Prince) X Frostbound. Introduced by Ensata Gardens in 1988.


"Iapetus" was awarded an Honorable Mention (HM) for its plant growth habit and flowering in 1990, then gained a Award of Merit (AM) in 1994 after its introduction. Success in its growing habit and flowering in a garden took "Iapetus" to win the prestigious Payne Medal. The highest award possible for a Japanese iris in 1997. Awarded by The Society of Japanese Irises.

It grows to a height of 86 cms (34 ins) and flowers early to mid season in New Zealand while flowering in the mid season else where in the world.

This beautiful variety looks magic planted up to be enjoyed in the garden near your pond or any rich moist soil.

Remember to give it at least 6 hours of sun light if you can.


Japanese irises are gross feeders so a good balance fertilizer in the early spring and again after flowering around the drip line of foliage will do them proud. Little and often is a good rule of thumb for fertilizers. Water in where possible to help the plant take up the benefits. Mulch around the plants with barely straw, pine needles or pea straw to retain moisture in soil and prevent weed growth.

Remember that Japanese Irises "Love wet toes and dry ankles" so when you are planting these take this into consideration please.

Available in New Zealand and around the world.






* Acknowledgement: - 2003 Cumulative Check list of the Japanese Irises complied for The Society of Japanese Irises.

P.S. Did you know that if you click on the photo it will enlarge for you.

Iris ensata "Pink Dimity"

Early / Mid Season Japanese Iris.

Iris ensata " Pink Dimity"

This is a stunning Japanese iris that flowers in my garden. It is another spectacular 6 petal form of
Iris ensata " Pink Dimity".

The colour is stunning. A beautiful lightly ruffled rich vibrant pink. (RHS 55D) ground, veined light maroon (74B), mauve (74C), halo around gold signal, mauve (74C) stylearms. The plant grows really well for me with lots of beautiful clean foliage and tall ram rod stems held proudly above the upright arching foliage. It produces an abundance of flowering stems on a well formed stunning clump in late November / early December.

This was created and selected by Lorena Reid and registered by her in 1987 from her seedling D658-7. Cross with Valiant Prince X Marx MX 4, introduced by Laurie's Garden 1987.

"Pink Dimity" was awarded an Honorable Mention (HM) for its plant growth habit and flowering in 1989 and a Award of Merit (AM) in 1994 after its introduction.

It grows to height of 91 cms (36 ins) and flowers early to mid season in New Zealand while flowering in the mid season else where in the world.

This beautiful variety looks magic planted up in drifts of 10 to 15 or more plants to be enjoyed in the garden near your pond or any rich moist soil. Makes a stunning display when in full flower. Just unreal in it's colours giving an amazing effect.

Remember to give it at least 6 hours of sun light if you can. Japanese irises are gross feeders so a good balance fertilizer in the early spring and again after flowering around the drip line of foliage will do them proud. Little and often is a good rule of thumb for fertilizers.

Water in where possible to help the plant take up the benefits. Mulch around the plants with barely straw, pine needles or pea straw to retain moisture in soil and prevent weed growth.

Remember that Japanese Irises "Love wet toes and dry ankles" so when you are planting these take this into consideration please.

Available in New Zealand and around the world.

* Acknowledgement: - 2003 Cumulative Check list of the Japanese Irises complied for The Society of Japanese Irises.