Yes, the flowers are dull little wads that do little to glorify the plant - just as they appear in the photos linked to here.

Judging by the lack of responses, I'm guessing this is not a popular variety, but I am surprised that it's not grown for the foliage alone.

Bonnie

I'm growing it for its foliage alone. That's its only ornamental feature!

Possibly one problem you may have - at least as far as looking it up goes - is with the cultivar name you are using. Apart from the fact that it is likely to end 'Variegatus' - if the first word is 'Purpureus' - that may not be the most prevalent or preferred name. There may be another name that is being used instead - I don't remember. If that is true some looking at the thread title may not be realizing you are, in fact, asking about a plant that they do know afterall.