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Iris ‘Dusky Challenger’ (Bearded Iris)

Tall Bearded Iris 'Dusky Challenger', Iris Germanica 'Dusky Challenger', Mid-Late Season Irises

Iris 'Dusky Challenger', Tall Bearded Iris 'Dusky Challenger', Iris Germanica 'Dusky Challenger', Mid Late Season Irises, Dark irises, Award Irises, Purple Irises

Exuding a strong scent of chocolate, multiple award-winning Iris ‘Dusky Challenger’ is a rich dark beauty that commands the attention in the garden with its gleaming, dark purple-violet, ruffled, silky flowers providing an awesome contrast with lighter-colored perennials. Its huge blossoms, up to 8 in. (20 cm), are held high on sturdy stems and rise elegantly up to 39 inches high (98 cm) atop a lovely sword-shaped foliage which will continue to add interest to the landscape after flowering is over.

  • Easy to grow, it is deer and rabbit resistant, and quite drought tolerant once established.
  • Won many awards including the American Dykes Medal (1992), which is one of the highest awards judged by the American Iris Society.
  • Profuse bloomer, it produces up to 8-13 buds per stem and will bring its glorious and glamorous blooms in late spring or early summer over a long blooming period. Please note that bloom times depend very much on the weather.
  • Performs best in full sun in humus-richmedium moisturewell-drained soilsTolerates light shade but best flowering and disease resistance occur in full sun. Good soil drainage is essential to prevent rot issues.
  • Grows from creeping rhizomes which store food produced by the sword-shaped, semi-evergreen leaves and form large clumps over time
  • A welcomed addition to herbaceous borderssunny courtyards, or urban gardens where the sword-like foliage and vibrant color will combine harmoniously with the stones and angular hardscaping. Roses also provide a lovely backdrop to this tall variety.
  • The best time to plant bearded irises is July through September. Container-grown iris can be planted in the spring.
  • All parts may cause discomfort if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Bearded irises are classified by height and flower size into 6 groups. Since these groups bloom at slightly different times, combining specimens from different groups will extend your color display for a couple of weeks.

Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for irises like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris germanica
Common names Iris, Bearded Iris
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early),
Height 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden
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Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Iris ‘Black Gamecock’ (Louisiana Iris)
Iris ‘Hold My Hand’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Twilight Rapture’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Imperial Reign’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Starship Enterprise’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘June Krauss’ (Bearded Iris)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Nora Barlow’ (Columbine)
Iris ‘Acapulco Gold’ (Bearded Iris)
Iris ‘Cloud Ballet’ (Reblooming Bearded Iris)
Orlaya grandiflora (White Lace Flower)
Thalictrum aquilegiifolium (Meadow Rue)
Achillea millefolium ‘Cerise Queen’ (Yarrow)
Artemisia ludoviciana (White Sage)
Agastache ‘Black Adder’ (Giant Hyssop)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Flamboyant Late Blooming Bearded Irises
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Top Rated Bearded Irises For Your Garden
Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris germanica
Common names Iris, Bearded Iris
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early),
Height 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
Not sure which Iris germanica (Bearded Iris) to pick?
Compare Now

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