Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrowly leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
'Variegata' is a rhizomatous perennial to 70cm tall, with narrow leaves heavily striped with creamy-white. Flowers to 10cm wide, purple-blue