Northwest Blooms · Irises
Iris 'Linda Nelson'
Linda Nelson Iris
- Height
- 3 feet
- Width
- 1 to 1 1/2 feet
- Flower color
- White with broad violet-purple margins and orange beards
- Foliage color
- Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
- Bloom time
- Midseason
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
About this plant
Iris 'Linda Nelson' is a tall bearded iris with lavishly ruffled flowers that open in midseason. Billowing white standards rise above white falls surrounded by broad violet-purple margins, with the purple gradually softening toward the pale centers. Fine violet veining adds detail near the shoulders, while vivid orange beards provide a warm focal point against the cooler petals. Upright, sword-shaped green foliage forms tidy fans beneath the flowering stems.
Introduced in 2014 by Schreiner's Gardens, 'Linda Nelson' received an American Iris Society Honorable Mention in 2016. The iris was named for Linda Nelson of Keizer, Oregon, who served as president of National Garden Clubs, an organization devoted to gardening, horticulture, and environmental stewardship. Its crisp white and violet coloring works beautifully in mixed borders and dedicated iris beds.
Works well in
Cottage Gardens · Formal Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens · Walkways · Foundation Plantings
Companion plants
Dwarf lilac · Spirea · Blue false indigo · White coneflower · Meadow rue · Silver lamb's ear · Creeping phlox
Design tip
Use 'Linda Nelson' where its white centers can brighten a planting without introducing another strong color. The violet margins provide enough definition to hold their own among neighboring flowers, making this iris especially useful for separating darker purple groupings within a border.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Schreiner's Iris Gardens.
