This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to slightly acid soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: May to June
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Velvety, violet flowers with veined yellow throats appear in May and June among bright green, slender, strappy leaves. Like all Siberian flag irises, this is a clump forming plant that needs space to spread out and prefers a moist, neutral to slightly acid soil in sun or partial shade. It looks best planted in bold drifts beside water and allowed to naturalise. It is particularly useful on difficult banks where it will help to prevent erosion and over time will form large clumps. It can also be planted in a pot as a marginal plant for a pond.
  
  
• Garden care: Plant in soil that has been improved with well-rotted manure or garden compost and do not allow to dry out, particularly as the plant is getting established. If planted in a container, it will need dividing and repotting every couple of years in spring.