In late spring,[2] (or April),[3] it has between 4–6 flowers per stem and reaches a maximum height of 45 cm (18 in) tall.

[5] The white margined leaves, have glossy mid-green tops, but with greyish green bottoms, which are scattered along the stem.

[5] It was named after Paul Graeber (a plant collector who also collected Iris hoogiana and Tulipa ostrowskiana for the Dutch Van Tubergen company).

[10] It is native to Tajikistan,[11] and Turkestan (parts of the former republic of USSR) in Central Asia.

[12] They are best grown in well-drained soils [13] in open, stony places or an Alpine house, but some growers recommend outside culture, if sheltered from heavy summer rains.