Karma Prospero Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Karma Prospero
• Type: Waterlily
• Colour: Soft lilac-pink with dark stems
• Flower size: 14cm across
• Height: 90cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Excellent. Bred specifically for the cut flower trade
• RHS AGM: No
• Origin: Karma series, bred by Cor and Ronald Verwer, Netherlands. Named after Prospero from Shakespeare's The Tempest
• Sold as: Single tubers, hand-graded, Dutch first-class quality
• Plant outdoors: March to July, when soil reaches 15°C (typically May in most of the UK)
• Delivered: From March. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Karma Prospero: A Cutting Dahlia Bred for the Vase

The Karma series was bred by Cor and Ronald Verwer in the Netherlands specifically for the commercial cut flower trade. Strong stems, upward-facing blooms, long vase life. These are dahlias designed to work as cut flowers first and garden plants second. Karma Prospero is named after the sorcerer from Shakespeare's The Tempest, which is a more literary provenance than most dahlias can claim.

The flowers are a soft lilac-pink, 14cm across, in the flat, open waterlily form: broad petals overlapping in shallow layers, elegant and understated. The dark stems add contrast and look good in a vase whether you strip the leaves or leave them. At 90cm with a compact 50cm spread, the plant is manageable in a border or a large pot.

Karma Prospero in the Border

The soft lilac-pink suits pastel and romantic schemes. Plant alongside Cafe au Lait Royal (shifting pink dinnerplate) for a pink scheme in two completely different flower forms: flat waterlily against ruffled dinnerplate. Gerrie Hoek (shell pink waterlily, 120cm behind) gives you a waterlily gradient from soft pink to lilac. For darker contrast, Sam Hopkins (deep maroon waterlily, 100cm) is a dramatic partner in the same flower type.

Why Ashridge?

Our dahlia tubers are Dutch first-class quality, imported direct and hand-graded. We reject undersized tubers so you get a clump with viable eyes, ready to grow. Delivered by next-day courier from March, with our one-year plant guarantee, Feefo Platinum Service Award, and real people on the phone in Somerset. Browse our waterlily dahlia range or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Karma series special for cutting?

The Verwer breeding programme selected specifically for cut flower performance: strong stems, upward-facing blooms (no nodding), long vase life, and clean colours that florists can work with. Karma Prospero is a product of that focus. In practical terms, it means the flowers sit upright in a vase without flopping, and they last longer than many dahlia varieties.

Will Karma Prospero grow in a pot?

At 90cm with a compact spread, it works well in a container of at least 30cm across. The dark stems look particularly good in a dark or metallic pot. Feed fortnightly from June. Our container guide covers the detail.

How does a waterlily dahlia differ from a decorative?

Depth. Decorative dahlias are fully double with many layers of petals. Waterlily dahlias have fewer petals arranged flat and shallow, overlapping like a lily on a pond. The effect is more elegant and restrained. Our dahlia types guide explains all the classifications.

Does Karma Prospero handle rain?

Waterlily flowers are flat and open, so they hold rainwater. Staking and a sheltered position help. The stems are strong enough to cope with some weight, but heavy rain will damage open blooms. Pick flowers before forecast rain and enjoy them indoors. Full growing advice in our dahlia growing guide.