A very robust, native water iris which will also grow in the garden if given enough water. The sword-like leaves are topped by large, violet-blue flowers accented by whitish markings at the base of the sepals. Petals and sepals spread out flat making it an attractive place for feeding by hummingbirds. It can grow to 3 feet in the water but will be shorter in a garden situation. They are hardy to zone two and can tolerate freezing in the ice with no problem. They like about six inches of water, but can tolerate deeper water for a short time.