Tall Bearded Iris 'Dusky Challenger'

Iris

Family
Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Iris (EYE-ris)
Synonym
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Sun Exposure
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)
Danger
Full Sun
Bloom Color
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Foliage
Medium Purple
Dark Purple/Black
Class
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Bloom Time
Sun Exposure
Hardiness
Bloom Color
Bloom Time
Bloom Time
Non-patented
Bloom Color
Bloom Time
Bloom Time
Bloom Color
Bloom Color
Bloom Time
Other Details
Other details
Propagation Methods
Herbaceous
Seed Collecting
Soil pH requirements
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Patent Information
Awards (if applicable)
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Perennials
Water Requirements
Where to Grow
Seed Collecting
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Fruit Shape
Fruit Size
Fruit Colors
Growing Habit
Days to Maturity
Seed Type
Disease Resistance
Leaf Type
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Water Requirements
Where to Grow
Other details
Propagation Methods
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Plant Size (check one)
Growing Habit
Growth Rate
Leaf Shape
Leaf Appearance
Degree to which the appearance is present
Leaf Texture (top)
Leaf Texture (bottom)
Leaf Color
Color of Leaf Margin
Leaf Substance
Number of Vein Pairs
Appearance of Margin
Margin Width
Flower Shape
Flower Fragrance
Does it set seed?
Flower Size
Flower Type
Blooming Habit
Foliage Habit
Color Patterns
Awards (if applicable)
Tall Bearded (TB)
Seed Type
Growth Habit
Days to Maturity
Awards (if applicable)
Bloom Shape
Other Details
Pruning Instructions
Kernel Color
Flower Shape
Flower Habit
Bloom Size
Color Pattern
Bloom Shape
Pruning Groups
Bloom Diameter
Heat (Pungency)
Fruit Shape
Fruit Size
Fruit Color
Disease Resistance
Seed Type
Flower Size
Size/Type
Flower Characteristics
Leaf Shape/Type
Leaf Texture
Leaf Color
Late Midseason (MLa)
Propagation
Honorable Mention
Award of Merit
Dykes Memorial Medal
Pollination
Bearing Habit
Rootstock Vigor
Disease Resistance
Fruit Usage
Classification
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Regional

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

Dothan, Alabama

Gaylesville, Alabama

COARSEGOLD, California

Newbury Park, California

Pasadena, California

Stanford, California

Yosemite Lakes, California

Fowler, Colorado

Clear Lake, Iowa

Derby, Kansas

Hebron, Kentucky

Anacoco, Louisiana

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Durham, Maine

Hagerstown, Maryland

Preston, Maryland

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Flint, Michigan

Gladwin, Michigan

Robertsville, Missouri

Shepherd, Montana

Aurora, Nebraska

Beatrice, Nebraska

Burwell, Nebraska

Doniphan, Nebraska

Kearney, Nebraska

Wood River, Nebraska

Corrales, New Mexico

Los Alamos, New Mexico

Enid, Oklahoma

Lawton, Oklahoma

Ponca City, Oklahoma

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania

Columbia, South Carolina

Corryton, Tennessee

Greeneville, Tennessee

Lubbock, Texas

Weatherford, Texas

Tremonton, Utah

Portsmouth, Virginia

Selah, Washington

Washougal, Washington

Madison, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
S
Lawton, OK | November 2011 | positive

This was my Queen of show last year, also Best purple. It had 3 perfectly opened blooms, and great stalks. One of my favorites.

K
| November 2009 | positive

This is my favorite iris in my garden - is it supposed to rebloom? Mine has been blooming for the last month. Nine blooms per stem.

P
Los Alamos, NM (Zone 5a) | February 2008 | positive

This is one of the most beautiful irises I have ever seen. It has huge dark bluish-purple flowers in profusion and is very tall. It gr...Read More

J
J
Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) | May 2007 | neutral

Awards: Honorable Mention 1988; Award of Merit 1990; Dyke's Medal 1992

A
Weatherford, TX (Zone 7b) | April 2005 | positive

I agree about the weather affecting the color! Some years my Dusky Challenger is deep, deep blue, almost black, and some years it is lig...Read More

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

This 39" mid to late bloomer was awarded the HM '88; AM '90 and Dykes Medal '92. This Iris has huge blooms, a great substance and a love...Read More

N
Ponca City, OK | April 2004 | positive

I have about decided that temprature affects the color on this one. Mine is usually the color in gmason's picture. This year it has bee...Read More

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