Newaukum Honey

Newaukum Honey just quietly walks into the garden looking like it brought its own sunset.

Bred by Wayne Lobaugh Jr. of Lobaugh’s Dahlias in Washington State, Newaukum Honey is a beautiful small informal decorative dahlia with a color that refuses to fit neatly into one little box. The blooms blend warm apricot and peachy orange with soft salmon-pink tones, while the center glows with deeper golden-orange warmth. The result is a flower that can look more orange, more peach or more pink depending on the bloom and the light—and honestly, that's part of the fun.

The blooms are generally around 5 inches across, with long, pointed petals that twist and curl into a wonderfully loose, sculptural flower. Some blooms open with a dramatic starburst quality, while others develop into a fuller, more layered form. Plants typically reach approximately 4 feet tall.

But Newaukum Honey isn't just another pretty face. This variety has a serious show history, earning blue ribbons and higher awards in open competition. Wayne himself has called it his favorite dahlia in the garden, which carries a little weight when you've bred as many dahlias as he has. It's also the sort of flower that makes people stop and ask what they're looking at, which is always a good sign in our book.

Moose's Take: Newaukum Honey has the dangerous combination of being ridiculously pretty and just unusual enough that you'll find yourself staring at it every time you walk past. The color gets you interested, the petals keep you looking, and before you know it you've decided that obviously you need one more dahlia. I'm here to support this kind of questionable decision-making.

At a Glance

Form: Small Informal Decorative
Bloom: Size: Approximately 5 inches
Color: Peachy orange with salmon-pink tones
Plant Height: Approximately 4 feet
Breeder: Wayne Lobaugh Jr.
Origin: Washington State, USA
Introduced: 2008
Best For: Cutting gardens, bouquets, collectors and anyone who likes dahlias that refuse to behave like ordinary orange flowers