As a result members of the genus Patersonia are frequently referred to as native iris or flag. Patersonia fragilis They can be found over most of temperate Australia and make showy rockery plants either singly or en masse. They need good drainage and a full sun although there are one or two exceptions to this general rule which will be dealt with later in this article. Patersonias are erect herbs with short rhizomes, linear leaves and regular three-petalled flowers in terminal clusters enclosed in two large papery bracts. The flower colour varies with the species - white or yellow is rare and usually they are blue through purple with soft delicate petals.
Individual flowers open for less than one day but many flowers are produced from the one stem.
All plants in a single area will flower on the same day making an impressive display when massed. The fruit is a long, three-celled capsule triangular in cross section with abundant seed which germinates readily with no special treatment. Young plants should be planted out at 30-40 cm centres. Some success has been achieved by dividing clumps, but this is not a reliable method of producing new plants. All are moderately frost tolerant.