Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’

Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’ stands out as an exceptional dahlia variety, offering a unique blend of striking form, vibrant color, and versatile use. Whether featured in a garden or used in floral arrangements, this dahlia variety is sure to bring joy and beauty to any setting. With its manageable growth and stunning appearance, ‘Honka Surprise’ is a delightful choice for gardeners and floral enthusiasts alike, adding a touch of the extraordinary to any collection.

Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’ is a distinctive and unique variety in the Orchid Dahlia group. This type is characterized by its star-shaped flowers, a rare form that sets it apart in the world of dahlias. ‘Honka Surprise’ is particularly known for its open, simplistic bloom structure, providing a fresh, contemporary look.

Native: Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America. This cultivar results from extensive breeding and does not occur naturally in the wild.

Plant Type and Habit: This dahlia is a tuberous-rooted perennial with a bushy, upright growth habit. This variety is appreciated for its moderate growth rate and ability to fit well in various garden compositions.

Size: It generally reaches about 36 inches in height (90 cm) and spreads around 18-24 inches (30-60 cm), depending on growing conditions.

Flowers: The flowers of ‘Honka Surprise’ are its standout feature. They are moderately sized, usually measuring about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. The blooms are characterized by 8 narrow, pointed, deep pink petals, almost red, that radiate from the golden center, creating a striking star shape.

Bloom Time: Blooming from mid-summer until the first frost it provides long-lasting color in the garden.

Foliage: The foliage is a vibrant green, providing a complementary backdrop to its striking blooms. The leaves are typically compound, adding to the plant’s overall lush appearance.

Uses: ‘Honka Surprise’ is a versatile plant, suitable for a variety of garden and landscape settings. Its unique flower form makes it a popular choice for contemporary garden designs and is stunning in floral arrangements. In the garden, it serves as an excellent choice for adding a point of interest in borders, beds, or containers.

Hardiness: Dahlias are hardy in USDA zones 8-11. In colder zones, tubers need to be lifted and stored over winter.

Toxicity: Dahlias are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Their ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal upset and other health issues in pets and livestock.

Wildlife: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Deer and Rabbit: Dahlias are somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits but may still be vulnerable to browsing.

Invasiveness: Not invasive; dahlias grow from tubers and do not spread aggressively.

Dahlia Growing Tips

Light: Dahlias love the sun, so choose a location with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.

Soil: Dahlias prefer well-drained, loamy soil. They don’t tolerate water-logged conditions, so if your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with compost or peat moss to improve drainage.

Planting Time: Dahlias are usually planted in the spring after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.

Planting Depth: Dahlia tubers should be planted about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) deep, with the “eye” (the small bump from where the stem will grow) facing upward.

Watering: Dahlias like consistent moisture. Water them deeply a couple of times a week, more often if your area is experiencing a drought. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Fertilizing: Dahlias respond well to low-nitrogen fertilizers, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-20. Too much nitrogen can lead to lush, leafy growth and fewer flowers.

Deadheading: Regularly removing the spent flowers (deadheading) will keep your dahlias producing more blooms.

Overwintering: In colder climates (zones 7 and below), you’ll need to dig up and store the tubers indoors over the winter.

Pests and Diseases: Dahlias are generally relatively disease and pest-resistant, but there are a few common issues to watch out such as aphids, botrytis blight, earwigs, powdery mildew, slugs and snails, spider mites, and thrips.