Unusual, pure white hood-shaped flowers that are up to 10-15cm (4-6in) long are produced from late spring to mid-summer. It makes a striking architectural clump with lovely arrow-shaped, glossy dark green leaves. It looks great grown beside water as a marginal plant and can be left outside in most frost-prone areas if it is given a deep winter mulch.
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Enjoys full sun or partial shade
- Humus-rich, moist soil
- Average rate of growth
- Flowering period - May to June
- Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)
- Mulch plants well in winter. Grow in reliably moist soil, or as a marginal pond plant. If potted up into a basket using aquatic compost, it can stand in water up to 30cm deep.