Karma Prospero Dahlia

  • Taken in shade, this image demonstrates the tones of lavender in this bloom facing up and to the left of the image.
  • The bloom fills this frame and the tips are a dense in color while the petals have lighter color with striping.
  • Taken with the flower centered, this photo shows some foliage in the background. The flower is mostly open with a soft pink and almost lavender stripe to the petals to a lavender tip.
  • Focused on the center of the bloom, this Karma Prospero Dahli bloom shows the lavender veins and lavender tips on otherwise pink petals.
  • This image shows the flower slightly tipped to the upper left. Each petal is pointed and the striping of the petals is aparent.
  • Focused to the center of the bloom so the petals fill the image, each petal is pointed and has the striping pattern from petal center to tip.
  • In bright light, the flower looks more pink than lavender toned. Each petal still has the veining pattern from center to petal tip.
  • Two blooms in this image show the bloom from the top and the other bloom from the side.
  • Angled up and to the left, this flower takes up the whole image.
  • Two clumps of tubers showing small size and healthy crowns.

Karma Prospero Dahlias are sought after for bouquets for their long stems. The pink flowers have lavender veining and end in a lavender tip. The stalks are very long. The plants have consistently grown small, whether that is from soil, temperature on the coast, or genetics. Tuber production has also been somewhat weak and we do not get many blooms off of a single plant. As such, we think this dahlia lacks some of the characteristics we like to have in a dahlia patch. However, the blooms that are produced are sensational.

We chose Karma Prospero because we wanted long stems for making arrangements. We were also looking for more pinks to add to the dahlia patch and the veining of this bloom was attractive for flower dimension. We also seem to be attracted to the water lily blooms.

The honest moment of this dahlia is we have really worked to make this variety grow and thrive. It could be the marine environment. It could be the plant genetics. We reached out to the farm we bought ours from and asked why they don’t list it for sale anymore. The response matched what we found, the stalks and blooms are great and everything Karma Prospero is known for, but the tuber production and plant are not great. As such, if you are just getting into growing dahlias, we do not recommend this fickle little variety. However if you are up for a total prima donna in the garden and want to work to grow a variety, this dahlia will challenge your gardening skills.

Note: This variety is not a variety for a beginner.

Patented dahlias are real and Karma Prospero is one that is under patent. Any sales are required to pay royalties. Karma Prospero was patented in 2005 and that patent should expire in 2025. Buyers are not accountable for royalties but sellers are. We will continue to get to know this variety before trading and or selling. Want to read more? Look at https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP16962P2/en?q=Karma+dahlia&oq=Karma+dahlia

Attributes of Karma Prospero Dahlias

Height – 2.5 feet

Color – Pink with Lavender

Bloom Size – 4″

Bloom Style – Waterlily

Bloom Time – 90 days

Taken from the top, the lavender petals radiate from a dark wine center.
Lavender Creme de Cassis seems less finicky about growing a vigorous plant and beautiful blooms.