Hollyhill Black Magic

Hollyhill Black Magic is exactly the sort of dahlia that belongs in the shadowed corner of the garden. Her semi-cactus blooms open in an extraordinarily deep black-red to burgundy, sometimes appearing nearly black before the petals mature into richer wine and crimson tones. Narrow, partially rolled petals give the flower a slightly wild silhouette, keeping all that darkness from feeling heavy. 

She was bred by Ted and Margaret Kennedy of Hollyhill Dahlias as a seedling of the legendary Hollyhill Black Beauty. Ted Kennedy describes Black Magic as a slightly smaller relative with the same exceptional dark coloring, but with a more defined semi-cactus form, stronger growth, and excellent cutting performance. She was introduced in 2020 after winning a best-seedling competition. 

🌱 2027 Grow-Out

Hollyhill Black Magic will arrive at Hedge & Alchemy in Spring 2027 and will be grown here for the first time that season. She will not be offered in our 2027 tuber sale.

📋 Cultivar Notes

• Breeder / Hybridizer: Ted & Margaret Kennedy / Hollyhill Dahlias
• Year of Introduction: 2020
• Origin: USA
• Parentage: Seedling of Hollyhill Black Beauty
• Form: Semi-Cactus (SC)
• Size: BB / Small
• ADS Classification: 3207 (BB / Semi-Cactus / Dark Red)
• Bloom Size: Approximately 5 to 6 inches
• Color: Extremely dark burgundy to black-red
• Cut Flower Status: Excellent. Hollyhill specifically selected her for cutting, and growers report strong plants, abundant flowers, and excellent performance in the vase. 
• Show & Exhibition Flower Status: Suitable for exhibition as a BB semi-cactus dark red; confirm the current ADS listing before entering. 

🌱 Growing Notes

• Bloom: Around 5 to 6 inches, with narrow semi-cactus petals in remarkably dark black-red and burgundy. Young blooms can appear nearly black before revealing more red as they mature.
• Plant Height & Habit: A vigorous plant reaching around 5 feet tall, with abundant flowering and strong growth. 
• Growing Notes: Stake early for the mature height and keep cutting regularly to encourage continued production. She has a reputation as an especially strong, difficult-to-kill Hollyhill variety.
• Tuber Yield: Reported to be excellent. Hollyhill notes that Black Magic makes lots of easy-keeping tubers, something I’ll be watching closely during our 2027 grow-out.