The ‘Happy Go Lucky’ Dahlia is a popular and vibrant selection, celebrated for its eye-catching appeal in various garden settings. This particular dahlia cultivar brings a burst of lively color, making it a desirable addition for many gardeners. Its distinctive blossoms contribute to its widespread interest and ability to transform a landscape with its cheerful presence throughout the growing season.
Meet the Happy Go Lucky Dahlia
The ‘Happy Go Lucky’ Dahlia is a decorative variety known for its large, striking flower heads, often reaching up to 6 inches (15 cm) across. These blooms display soft hues of light salmon pink and pastel yellow, sometimes featuring warm yellow with peach petal tips and raspberry-tinged goldenrod centers, creating a captivating visual display. Resting atop strong, sturdy stems, this dahlia blooms from mid-summer through early autumn, continuing until the first hard frost. The plant grows to a mature height of about 40 to 48 inches (100-120 cm) and spreads approximately 24 inches (60 cm), making it suitable for the back of a border or as a prominent cut flower.
Planting Your Happy Go Lucky Dahlia
For successful ‘Happy Go Lucky’ Dahlia cultivation, select a site that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, with morning sun being particularly beneficial. Protection from strong winds is also appreciated. The soil should be well-draining and fertile, ideally with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Before planting, amend heavy clay soils with aged manure, compost, or peat moss to improve drainage and aeration, loosening the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches.
Plant ‘Happy Go Lucky’ Dahlia tubers outdoors in spring, after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F (15°C). This often aligns with the time tomatoes are planted in your region. Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) deep, wide enough to accommodate the tuber. Place the tuber horizontally with the “eye” or growing point facing upwards, then cover it with 2 to 3 inches of soil. Allow 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) between individual tubers, or up to 2 feet (60 cm) for larger varieties, to ensure proper air circulation and growth. Avoid watering immediately after planting to prevent tuber rot; instead, wait until sprouts emerge above the soil, unless the soil is exceptionally dry.
Ongoing Care for Thriving Blooms
Water ‘Happy Go Lucky’ Dahlias consistently once they are established and actively growing. After sprouts appear and the plant reaches a few inches in height, begin deep watering two to three times per week, especially in hot, dry climates. Ensure moisture penetrates 8 to 10 inches deep to reach the tuber roots, which is more effective than frequent shallow watering. Avoid wetting the foliage to reduce disease risk.
Fertilize to support vigorous growth and abundant blooms. After sprouting, dahlias benefit from a low-nitrogen, liquid fertilizer with higher phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 formula. Apply fertilizer about 30 days after planting, and then every 3 to 4 weeks through mid-summer until early autumn. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can result in lush foliage but fewer flowers.
To encourage bushier plants and increased bloom production, pinch the central stem when the plant reaches 12 to 16 inches tall, removing the top 3 to 4 inches just above a leaf node. This promotes branching and more stems for cutting. As the plants grow taller and blooms develop, provide support through staking or caging to prevent heavy flowers from causing stems to flop or break. Deadheading spent flowers diverts the plant’s energy into producing new blooms, extending the flowering season.
Overwintering Happy Go Lucky Dahlias
In regions where winter temperatures consistently fall below freezing (USDA Zones 3-7), ‘Happy Go Lucky’ Dahlia tubers require lifting and indoor storage to survive. Wait to dig tubers until after the first hard frost blackens the foliage, usually in late fall. This signals the plant to enter dormancy and helps tubers mature, improving storage success. Cut stems back to 4 to 6 inches above ground level before digging.
Carefully dig around the tubers with a pitchfork or shovel, without damaging them. Gently shake off excess soil, or lightly rinse them with water if the soil is sticky, but avoid scrubbing. Allow tubers to dry and cure for several days to a few weeks in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Ensure they are completely dry before storage to prevent rot.
Store tubers in a cool, dark, and dry location that remains above freezing, ideally between 40°F and 50°F (4-10°C). Store them in cardboard boxes, paper bags, or plastic bins, often layered with peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to maintain moisture and air circulation. Periodically check stored tubers throughout winter, removing any showing signs of rot to prevent spread. In spring, once the danger of frost has passed and soil warms, the tubers can be replanted.
Common Challenges and Solutions
While beautiful, ‘Happy Go Lucky’ Dahlias can encounter certain issues. Pests like aphids and slugs can be problematic; aphids may cluster on new growth, while slugs can damage young shoots. Manage slugs with manual removal, especially in the mornings, or commercial deterrents. For aphids, a strong water spray can dislodge them, or apply insecticidal soap.
Powdery mildew may appear as a white, powdery growth on leaves, particularly in humid conditions. Good air circulation from proper spacing helps prevent this. Root rot can occur from planting tubers in cold, waterlogged soil or overwatering, especially before sprouting. Proper site selection with well-draining soil and careful watering are the best preventative measures.
Sparse blooms or discolored leaves may indicate insufficient sunlight, improper watering, or nutrient imbalances. For instance, too much nitrogen can lead to abundant foliage but few flowers. Adjusting sun exposure, watering habits, or fertilizer type can often resolve these challenges.