Dietes grandiflora ‘Milky Way’ – Variegated Wild Iris
€20.00
Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Variegated Wild Iris, Fairy Iris
- Botanical Name: Dietes grandiflora ‘Milky Way’
- Plant Type: Evergreen perennial
- Mature Height: 80-100 centimetres
- Mature Spread: 60-80 centimetres
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flowering Period: May-September
- Flower Colour: Pure white with yellow and purple markings
- Foliage: Sword-like, green with cream stripes
- Hardiness: Hardy in mild areas (RHS H4)
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Maintenance: Low maintenance
Description
Step into a world of ethereal beauty with Dietes ‘Milky Way’ – a plant so exquisite it seems to have been designed by nature’s most artistic hand. This stunning variegated iris brings an almost magical quality to the garden, with elegant sword-like foliage that’s beautifully striped in cream and green, creating year-round architectural interest that’s both sophisticated and utterly charming.
But it’s when the flowers appear that this beauty truly takes your breath away. From late spring through to early autumn, delicate stems rise gracefully above the foliage to display the most perfect white flowers, each one adorned with intricate yellow and purple markings that look as though they’ve been hand-painted by a master artist. These blooms appear in succession throughout the season, ensuring months of continuous display.
What makes ‘Milky Way’ truly special is its refined elegance – there’s something almost otherworldly about the way the variegated foliage catches the light, creating gentle movement and interest even when not in flower. The neat, clumping habit means it never becomes invasive, making it perfect for formal gardens, contemporary settings, or anywhere you want to add a touch of sophisticated drama.
This is a plant that brings a sense of the exotic to Irish gardens while being surprisingly adaptable to our climate. The evergreen foliage provides year-round structure, while the succession of flowers ensures there’s always something beautiful to discover throughout the growing season.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting: Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position. Excellent drainage is essential – add grit or sharp sand to heavy soils. Choose a spot protected from harsh winds and extreme cold. Perfect for containers which can be moved to protection in severe weather.
Spacing: Allow 60-80 centimetres between plants for individual clumps. The architectural foliage makes it excellent as a specimen plant or in small groups for maximum impact.
Aftercare: Remove spent flower stems to encourage more blooms. In colder areas, provide winter protection with fleece or move containers to a sheltered spot. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in spring. Benefits from a spring feed to encourage flowering.
Companion Planting: Stunning with other architectural plants like phormium or cordyline. Beautiful contrast with soft, rounded plants like lavender or santolina. Pairs wonderfully with other white flowers for an elegant monochrome scheme, or with purple flowers to echo the markings.
Irish Climate Notes: Best suited to milder coastal areas or sheltered city gardens. Benefits from protection in harsh winters. The long flowering season is particularly valuable in our mild climate. Excellent for courtyards and sheltered patios.
Design Tips: Perfect for contemporary gardens, excellent in formal settings, stunning in containers for patios or terraces, and wonderful for adding exotic flair to mixed borders. The variegated foliage provides excellent contrast in green plantings.
Additional information
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