KA's Champagne

Champagne, from 2019, is one of the more distinctive dahlias in Kristine Albrecht's catalog: a stellar form in soft champagne tones, a combination you rarely see. The stellar's spidery, rolled petals usually show up in brighter colors, so a buttercream-and-blush version stands out. Albrecht breeds in Santa Cruz, and the trademarked KA's line is propagated by licensed partner farms rather than sold by her directly. The variety has become a wedding favorite, valued for that muted neutral color and for long, strong stems that make it easy to design with. On tall 5 to 6 foot plants it reads almost airy in the field, a cloud of pale stars on sturdy stalks.

Champagne is an unusual stellar, retailer-listed as ST-PK with blooms around 5 inches on tall plants from 60 to 72 inches. The stellar form, with its rolled, recurved petals, is uncommon in this soft champagne palette, which is much of the appeal. At 5 to 6 feet it is a tall grower, so stake firmly and plan for the height when you site it. The long, strong stems are a selling point for cut work, since the form and color suit weddings and the stems hold up in arrangements. Pinch once and disbud lightly for cleaner stems. As a stellar rather than a decorative, it brings a different texture to a bouquet than the rounder Albrecht varieties, a looser, more starlike flower in cream and blush.