I planted a beautifully variegated iris (Iris japonica Aphrodite) 2 months ago.
I now see babies showing up 3 feet away in all directions.
Yikes! Looks like Aphrodite is no shrinking violet! Should I be alarmed?
Here's the original plant. I like the clean striking variegation.
Here's a typical shoot coming up in a 3ft perimeter.
There are about 8 of them so far.
And it's only been in the ground a few months!
And here it is devouring a defenseless little chamaecyparis.
Anyone else with experience w/ variegated iris japonica?
If the babies are easy to remove, I'll let it stay.
But if I've got a monster on my hands, I want to deal with it before it gets out of hand.
Any advise?
Iris japonica does tend to throw babies some distance away. They are easily pulled up. i would definitely not call it invasive, and it's only margianally hardy for you, making it even less of a spreader.
Pull up the babies and share. I'm sure lots of people would love to trade for it. I don't think you will find it invasive at all.
I would love to trade with you for seed or postage. Looks pritty
Elaine
That's beautiful. The variegation is striking.
I have that iris. It is vigerous for me. Thanks for the baby pulling tip Polly.
WeeRobin - Has Aphrodite overwintered for you? I have only seen its hardiness to zone 7 on the internet. I am a sucker for variegated foliage, and this is a beauty!
Too soon to tell yet. Hasn't come up yet.
Jo, are you sure you don't have the Iris pallida that's variegated, or even the Japanese iris that variegated? I sincerely doubt the I. japonica would survive here.
http://www.google.com/images?q=iris+pallida+variegata&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=I3thTdCpL4O0lQeXleiPDA&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=576
It gets confusing. Japanese irises are I. ensata. I. japonica is a native of China that is tender. It's commonly called fringed or handkerchief iris, or orchid iris.
Here's a picture of it's flower:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iris_japonica3.jpg
And here's the true variegated I. ensata:
http://www.google.com/images?q=iris+ensata+variegata&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pXthTYvJB8H6lwfumYT6Cw&ved=0CDYQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=576
As usual you are right Polly.Mine look like the first link.Broader leaves.
