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Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Iris (EYE-ris) (Info) Cultivar: Dusky Challenger Hybridized by Schreiner; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1986
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: Purple Dark Purple/Black
Bloom Time: Late Midseason (MLa)
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
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
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
Awards (if applicable): Honorable Mention Award of Merit Dykes Memorial Medal
On Feb 9, 2008, pajaritomt from Los Alamos, NM (Zone 5a) wrote:
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 grows and multiplies well and is a real attention getter in the garden. I would not want to have a garden without it.
On May 24, 2007, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote:
Awards: Honorable Mention 1988; Award of Merit 1990; Dyke's Medal 1992
Editor's Note
Rhizomes (thickened roots) and rootstocks, fresh or dry, of all Iris species and cultivars are poisonous if ingested. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and elevated temperature following ingestion. Some resources claim the toxic principal (irisin, iridin, irisine) only cause low toxicity if eaten.
Skin irritation can develop upon contact with seeds, rhizomes, rootstock, or cell sap.
We tend to err on the side of caution in PlantFiles, and the danger notation in the details above is to warn gardeners, parents, and pet owners to look further for more information.
On Apr 10, 2005, angelap from Weatherford, TX (Zone 7b) wrote:
I agree about the weather affecting the color! Some years my Dusky Challenger is deep, deep blue, almost black, and some years it is lighter, more of a royal blue color.
On Mar 14, 2005, doss from Stanford, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:
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 lovely fragrance. It is one that I will always have in my garden. Blooms on the late side here which extends the season.
On Apr 30, 2004, NellPercy from Ponca City, OK wrote:
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 been cold all of April and it opened almost black.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Dothan, Alabama Gaylesville, Alabama Stanford, California Hebron, Kentucky Baton Rouge, Louisiana Durham, Maine Hagerstown, Maryland Preston, Maryland Robertsville, Missouri Shepherd, Montana Los Alamos, New Mexico Ponca City, Oklahoma Doylestown, Pennsylvania Greeneville, Tennessee Lubbock, Texas Weatherford, Texas Portsmouth, Virginia Selah, Washington Washougal, Washington Madison, Wisconsin Sheridan, Wyoming
3 vendors have this plant for sale.
