It is native to the mountains of Central Asia, including the Zarafshan Range in Uzbekistan.

[1] It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions – growing to 60 centimetres (24 in) (less in poor soils), and producing pale lilac and white flowers in spring.

[2][3] This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[4][5] It has a known hybrid, Iris magnifica 'Agalik' (Vved), which flowers between April and May, in lavender-blue to white shades of colour.

It will reach a height of 40–60 cm (16–24 in) and is fairly hardy in the US.