What is this flower?

sazzle-

Hi, can anyone help my friend. He has this in his garden and has no idea what it is? Thanks 

Athelas

Looks like Gladiolus papilio 

https://www.bethchatto.co.uk/conditions/plants-for-general-conditions/gladiolus-papilio.htm

bertrand-mabel

Agree @Athelas We have it our garden after being given a small clump decades ago from the then custodian at Margery Fish garden in Somerset. It is a fabulous plant but it does tend to take over the garden.

Still worth it.

sazzle-

Thanks very much 😊

Welshwindyhills

Wow! Stunning.