AC Dark Horse
Spiky magenta petals flashing icy white tips
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Semi-Cactus · 9–11"PurpleKen Greenway (2009)United States
Dinnerplate heads swing open in electric magenta, each pointed petal flicked with a stripe of icy white at the tip. The twisting, windblown shape keeps every bloom looking like it caught light from a different angle. A bold Ken Greenway introduction from his Pacific Northwest breeding program. It was bred in United States by Ken Greenway in 2009.
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Specifications
Physical
- Form
- Semi-Cactus
- Bloom class
- AAover 10"
- Bloom size
- 9–11"(22.9–27.9 cm)
- Plant height
- 36–54"
Color
- Color
- Purple/White
- Pattern
- Bicolor
- Tags
- magentafuchsiawhite tipspurpledinnerplate
Growing context
- Flowering season
- Mid season
- Cut flower
- ✓ Yes
- Exhibition
- ✓ Yes
- Stem length
- 22"
Provenance
- 2009
- United States
- Breeder
- Ken Greenway
- Introducer
- Accent Dahlias
Grower Profile
Difficulty
Ideal for
Growing AC Dark Horse
Stake early with a sturdy support since heavy dinnerplate heads topple in wind and rain. Pinch the growing tip above the fourth leaf pair to force branching and more side buds. Feed weekly with a balanced low-nitrogen fertilizer once buds set to fuel those oversized blooms. Disbud side shoots back to one bud per stem for show-quality heads and longer stems. Cut early in the morning when the back petals have just unfurled for the best hold after harvest.
- Spacing
- Space roughly 2–3 ft apart
- Staking
- Stake early — stems carry heavy blooms and lean in wind
Frequently asked questions
How tall does AC Dark Horse dahlia grow?
AC Dark Horse reaches 36–54" at maturity, so plan to stake plants early to keep heavy blooms upright.
When does AC Dark Horse dahlia bloom?
AC Dark Horse is a midseason bloomer, in flower from midsummer through first frost.
Is AC Dark Horse dahlia good for cut flowers?
Yes — AC Dark Horse is well suited for cutting, with approximately 5-day vase life. Stems typically reach about 22″.
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