One of the first Juno irises to be described, this species has been in cultivation for centuries and was listed by Philip Miller in his book of 1732.

The leaves are 0.2 to 0.6 inches (5 to 15 mm) wide with a pale edge and a grey underside.

[4] It is an alpine plant growing in the hills of Iraq,[5] Turkey and Syria, at altitudes between 300 and 5400 feet (100 to 1650 metres).

[4] Iris persica needs warmth and shelter to blossom but can be grown in the open air.

Jekyll wrote "How endlessly beautiful are the various kinds of Iris, of which so many bloom in June... in a snug sunny place at the foot of a south wall Iris persica, whose delicate petals of palest greenish-blue are boldly painted with stronger colours..."[7]