Tall Bearded Iris 'Midnight Oil'

Iris

Family
Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Iris (EYE-ris)
Synonym
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Dark Purple/Black
Foliage
Herbaceous
Class
Tall Bearded (TB)
Bloom Time
Midseason (M)
Other Details
Other details
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Awards (if applicable)
Honorable Mention
Award of Merit
Walther Cup
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Tucson, Arizona

Citrus, California

Emeryville, California

Gainesville, Georgia

Eastport, Idaho

Hebron, Kentucky

Durham, Maine

Gladwin, Michigan

Marquette, Michigan

Robertsville, Missouri

Omaha, Nebraska

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Las Vegas, Nevada

Los Alamos, New Mexico

Lawton, Oklahoma

Gold Hill, Oregon

Greeneville, Tennessee

Pasco, Washington

Hustisford, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
M
Mill Valley, CA | May 2018 | positive

Planted this 6 years ago, fell in love with it. The color is stunning. Landscaper removed all my iris into a bucket after 1st bloom and...Read More

L
stony mountain, MB (Zone 3a) | March 2012 | positive

planted this iris slightly shaded 2010 zone 3a

one word to describe ? stunning

i'm so careful with this pl...Read More

A
Burnaby, BC (Zone 7b) | July 2010 | positive

Huge, fragrant, and black. This is the only iris I would classify as black. The beard is fuzzy-purple which, at first, makes you think ...Read More

P
Hustisford, WI (Zone 5a) | June 2010 | positive

This plant bloomed the first year, with gorgeous deep purple, almost black flowers. everyone that saw it raved about it. It is tall, bloo...Read More

J
J
Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) | March 2006 | neutral

Awards: American Iris Society Honorable Mention 2000; Walther Cup 2000; Award of Merit 2002

D
D
Stanford, CA (Zone 9b) | March 2005 | neutral

(Keppel, 97) Mid season bloomer. 36" Fragrant
"Fine black self with grape beards. Exceptional grower with excellent branching and ...Read More

M
Manhattan, KS | June 2003 | positive

This iris has done very well for me. It blooms late in zone 5. It is probably the closest to a black iris that I have seen. Very velvet...Read More

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