The combination of variegated foliage and rich purple flowers in summer, makes this a handsome addition to the edges of a pond. Plant this Japanese water iris straight into the ground and it will spread to form a generous swathe, or pot it up if you want a more compact clump.
The bold vertical leaves with creamy-white margins provide interest from spring to autumn, even when Iris ensata 'Variegata' is not in flower.