Midnight Tide

(Michael Lockatell, R. 2020)
Sdlg.#20150-26-2B tet SIB  30” EM

Mike Lockatell's interest in growing siberian irises started with a visit to Carol Warner's garden in Baltimore County, Maryland during an AIS Region 4 Spring Meeting back in the late nineties. As a landscape designer, Mike was very impressed with the value these handsome perennials could contribute to the suburban garden setting.

Tetraploid siberian irises from the late Currier McEwen were added to Mike's initial display garden in Powhatan County, VA. Tet Sib Supernatural (B. Blyth, 1994/95) was grown from seed sent to Tempo Two from McEwen and imported from Australia in 2000. Mike received seed from crossing Supernatural with Tet Sib Chandler's Choice (Mc Ewen, 1995) in 2001. Seedlings had maiden bloom take place in 2004 during the late Lloyd Zurbrigg's last spring visit to Mike's garden. Dr. William Shear from nearby Farmville, VA and “The Gardener's Iris Book” author was also on hand to evaluate these new seedlings. Bill noticed one of them had an interesting narrow white rim on each fall. A bloomstalk was exhibited at a subsequent Fredericksburg Area Iris Society (FAIS) Spring Flower Show in Northern Virginia and won Best Seedling in Show honors.

Mike's seedling resided in a rock garden planting at a South Richmond, VA residence for many years. Clump health and flowering remained consistent and attractive. Before the homeowners moved to a new address, divisions were sent to Carol Warner for the dual AIS Region 4 Spring Meeting and the Siberian National Convention held in Baltimore County, Maryland in 2018. During the latter, Mike's seedling won the Alice Bouldin Cup for “Best Seedling” at an AIS Region 4 Spring Meeting and Runner Up for “Best Convention Seedling.”

Tetraploid Siberian Irises can struggle in fickle Mid Atlantic climate. Midnight Tide has thrived to make large clumps without center dead spots in multiple Central Virginia locations. Five inch flowers with handsome green foliage make it an interesting addition to any Southern garden.

Available at Draycott Gardens https://www.draycott-gardens.com/