Scientific Name
Dahlia 'Franz Kafka'
Common Name(s)
Pompon Dahlia, Franz Kafka Dahlia
Scientific Classification
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Dahlia
Flower
Color: Pink-purple
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Description
Dahlia 'Franz Kafka' is a beautiful plant with magnificent pale pink-purple flowers set against the dark green foliage. It grows up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall. The exquisitely shaped globular flowers are up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. They resemble lollipops and are among the cutest Dahlia flowers. It blooms massively from summer to fall.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 3a to 10b: from −40 °F (−40 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Feed Dahlias about once a month with an organic fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium, such as a 1-2-2 ratio. With enough compost, your Dahlias will do fine without fertilizer. Make sure your Dahlias get an inch of water per week. Keep track of rainfall so that the water is consistent.
Clip off spent blossoms to encourage more blooming. While optional, some gardeners remove many of the flower buds to focus the plant's energy on fewer, larger, and showier blooms with long stems. The flower buds come in clusters of three. If desired, remove the two side buds, allow the middle one to grow, and keep pinching off any more side buds that form along the end of the stem.
For a more natural look, pinch back Dahlia plants when small to encourage branching. Dahlias can be divided in fall or spring. Dig up the tubers and use a sharp knife to cut them into sections, ensuring each section has at least one eye. Allow tubers to dry overnight before replanting.
If Dahlias are hardy in your zone, simply cut them back after the first heavy frost and apply an extra layer of mulch to protect them from the cold. Remove the extra mulch in spring. In colder climates, dig up and store the tubers in a basement or garage, then divide and replant them in the spring.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Dahlia.
Origin
This plant is a hybrid of unknown parentage.
Links
- Back to genus Dahlia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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