Iris ‘Nada’ is a highly regarded iris variety, admired for its unique charm and adaptability in garden settings. It offers an appealing aesthetic that enhances a garden’s visual interest and contributes to a cultivated landscape.
Understanding Iris ‘Nada’
Iris ‘Nada’, often called Butterfly Iris or Nada Crested Iris, is a hybrid perennial known for its distinctive appearance. It forms large, open clumps of gracefully arching, bright green leaves, reaching 18-20 inches (45-50 cm) long. The foliage provides a lush, evergreen presence year-round.
Its flowers are delicate, nearly-white or pale lavender, often with purple spots and prominent golden-yellow markings on the crests of the fall petals. These ruffled blooms, typically 2.5 to 3 inches (6-7.6 cm) wide, appear on intricately branched stems 18-26 inches (45-66 cm) tall. A single stem can bear up to 50 blooms over three months. Iris ‘Nada’ is a crested iris within the beardless iris group, distinguishing it from bearded varieties.
Planting and Care for Iris ‘Nada’
When planting Iris ‘Nada’, position the rhizomes just below the soil surface to ensure adequate air circulation. If planting multiple rhizomes, space them 6 to 24 inches (15-60 cm) apart, with smaller cultivars closer and larger ones further apart to allow for growth.
This iris thrives in cool, moist soil and prefers filtered shade inland or morning sun along the coast. It is a woodland shade plant that does not tolerate full sun. It benefits from well-drained, fertile soil, with a preference for slightly acidic to neutral pH levels, ideally around 6.0 to 7.0. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with coarse sand or organic matter to improve drainage, or consider planting in raised beds.
Water consistently, especially during dry periods, as Iris ‘Nada’ prefers medium water needs. While established plants can tolerate some drought, regular moisture promotes healthy growth and blooming. Fertilize lightly in early spring and again about a month after blooming, using a balanced fertilizer low in nitrogen, such as a 5-10-10 or 6-10-10 NPK ratio. Basic maintenance includes weeding around the plants and deadheading spent blooms to maintain appearance and encourage further flowering.
Ensuring Healthy Blooms and Addressing Challenges
Iris ‘Nada’ blooms from late winter through mid-spring, generally from February to May, offering a prolonged display of flowers. Prolific flowering is encouraged by appropriate light exposure, adequate moisture, and proper planting depth. Overcrowding can hinder bloom production, so dividing clumps every three to five years helps maintain vigor.
Gardeners might encounter common issues like iris borers, slugs, and diseases such as leaf spot and rhizome rot. Iris borers, the caterpillars of a moth, can tunnel into leaves and rhizomes, causing damage and rot. To manage borers, remove and destroy old iris leaves and plant debris in the fall to eliminate overwintering eggs. Slugs are attracted to the foliage; control them with iron phosphate slug baits or shallow traps.
Leaf spot appears as black or brown spots on leaves, often worsened by excessive moisture. Removing affected leaves and improving air circulation can mitigate this issue. Rhizome rot, a bacterial infection, causes the rhizome to become soft and mushy, often with an unpleasant odor. This condition is often linked to poor drainage and can be addressed by carefully cutting away affected tissue and allowing the rhizome to dry before replanting. A 10% bleach solution can be used to treat affected areas or sterilize tools.