Description
(syn. hieruchamensis)
Stems 30-40 cm tall bear flowers of such a deep, dark violet that they truly live up to their epithet of ‘Black Iris’ – from a short distance away, they are indeed black and look as if they have been sewn together from heavy, black satin. The flowers are accompanied by slender, upright, greyish leaves.
Despite its southerly habitats this inhabits mountains that do get winter snow, so the species can take cold. They do however like well-drained soil and not too much water at any time, especially in summer when they should be kept dry.
The reward for good cultivation will be a clump and these are reported in the wild to bear up to 20 flowers which open simultaneously – that must be breathtaking!
