The ‘Dahlia Happy Single Wink’ offers a captivating display for any garden space, blending vibrant color with a distinctive form. Its appeal lies in its reliable blooming throughout the summer and fall, providing continuous beauty until the first frost. Gardeners often choose this dahlia for its aesthetic contribution and its ability to attract beneficial pollinators, making it a popular addition to borders, containers, or as a source for cut flowers.
Dahlia ‘Happy Single Wink’ Characteristics
The ‘Dahlia Happy Single Wink’ is recognized for its unique attributes. It produces single-form flowers, typically 4 inches (10 cm) wide, featuring broad, slightly cupped ray florets. These petals display a striking lilac-pink hue that radiates outwards from a prominent, contrasting dark center, often burgundy-red, which gives the flower its “winking” appearance.
The blooms are set against attractive, near-black foliage, providing a dramatic backdrop. This dahlia cultivar typically reaches a height of 24 to 32 inches (60 to 80 cm) with a similar spread. Its open, single-flowered structure allows easy access for pollinators like butterflies and bees, contributing to garden biodiversity.
Planting Your ‘Happy Single Wink’
Planting ‘Dahlia Happy Single Wink’ tubers successfully begins after the last spring frost, when the soil temperature has consistently warmed to at least 60°F (15°C). Selecting a site that receives full sun for at least six to eight hours daily is important for abundant blooms, although some afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter climates. Well-draining soil is essential, as dahlias are prone to rot in waterlogged conditions.
Before planting, prepare the soil by incorporating 2 to 3 inches (5 to 10 cm) of compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Dahlias thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.0. Dig a hole approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) deep and place the tuber horizontally with the “eye” or sprout facing upwards.
Space individual tubers about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) apart for adequate air circulation and growth, which helps prevent fungal issues. After placing the tuber, gently cover it with soil, but avoid watering immediately, as this can lead to tuber rot before roots develop. Water only when green shoots emerge, typically a few weeks after planting. Due to its mature height, place a sturdy 60-inch (150 cm) stake next to the tuber at planting time to provide support as the plant grows.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Consistent moisture is essential for ‘Dahlia Happy Single Wink’ throughout its growing season. Once shoots appear, water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring moisture penetrates to the root zone, typically 5 to 10 inches deep. During dry periods or extreme heat, increased watering may be necessary to prevent stress. Applying water at the soil surface, rather than overhead, helps reduce the risk of foliar diseases.
Dahlias benefit from regular fertilization once foliage is present. Begin with a low-nitrogen, balanced fertilizer every few weeks or a slow-release granular product. As flower buds form, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage blooming. Cease fertilization when flower buds show color to prevent scorching.
To promote continuous blooming and a bushier plant, pinch back the growing tips when the plant has developed three to four sets of leaves. This encourages lateral branching and a greater number of flowers. Regularly deadhead spent blooms to redirect the plant’s energy into producing new buds rather than setting seeds. This extends the plant’s flowering period until frost. Proper spacing and promptly removing dead leaves also help deter common pests like slugs, snails, and aphids, and reduce fungal diseases.
Overwintering Dahlia Tubers
In regions where winter temperatures drop below freezing (USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7), ‘Dahlia Happy Single Wink’ tubers need to be lifted and stored indoors. The optimal time to dig up tubers is after the first hard frost has blackened the foliage, but before the ground freezes solid, typically 10 to 14 days after the initial frost. This waiting period allows the tubers to “cure” and develop a tougher skin.
Carefully dig around the plant, mindful not to damage the delicate tubers, and gently lift the entire clump. Remove excess soil, and allow the tubers to dry in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for several days to two weeks. Once cured, cut the main stalk back to about 1 to 4 inches from the crown. Store the tubers in a medium like peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings in a cardboard box or paper bag, ensuring they do not touch. The ideal storage environment is a cool, dark, frost-free location, with temperatures consistently between 40-50°F (4-10°C) and moderate humidity to prevent shriveling or rotting. Periodically check the tubers throughout winter for any signs of rot or excessive drying.