Dahlia ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’

Dahlia ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’ is a spectacular addition to any garden, offering stunning, colorful blooms and a long flowering season. Its ease of cultivation and ability to attract wildlife make it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners.

Dahlia ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’ is a captivating ball cultivar prized for its stunning blooms and garden appeal. It is celebrated for its vibrant, multi-layered flowers with a blend of warm colors. The petals typically exhibit a gradient of reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a fiery appearance.

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. It forms clumps of sturdy stems that bear the blooms.

Size: It generally reaches about 3-4 feet in height (90-120 cm) and can spread around 1-2 feet (30-60 cm), depending on growing conditions.

Flowers: Dahlia ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’ is an exquisite example of a ball dahlia, characterized by its stunning, spherical flowers, up to 3 inches wide (8 cm). The blooms showcase a dense arrangement of layered petals that curve inward to form a perfect ball shape. This type of dahlia is renowned for its intricate petal structure and depth of color, making ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’ a captivating addition to any garden with its vibrant blend of red, orange, and yellow hues.

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

Foliage: The foliage is typical of dahlias, with green, pinnate leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the bright flowers.

Uses: Ideal for borders, beds, and as a striking feature in floral arrangements. Its vibrant blooms are also popular in cut flower gardens.

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: While visually stunning, the complex petal structure of this dahlia makes it more difficult for pollinators to access the nectar and pollen. It is less effective in attracting pollinators than single-flowered or open-centered dahlia types.

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.