Midnight Oil (Keppel, 1997) TB FG HM AM

Midnight Oil is a tall bearded iris introduced by Keith Keppel in 1997, growing about 36 inches tall and blooming in the midseason garden. The blooms are a deep black self, darker than eggplant, with the falls showing a subtle velvet finish that enhances the richness of the color. Style arms are even darker than port, adding depth to the overall bloom, while the beards are a distinctive grape tone that blends beautifully with the dark petals. The flowers carry a slight sweet fragrance and have strong presence on tall stems. Midnight Oil was bred from a complex lineage including Snowbrook, Blackout, Light Show, and Before The Storm. It received Favorite Guest in 1999, Honorable Mention in 2000, and the Award of Merit in 2002. Rebloom has been reported in California.