About
Attains 1.5-1.7m high, with dark green leaves and collerette flowers, 10cm across, of white ray florets, white collars, and golden centres, from summer to autumn.
About the genus
Dahlia are tuberous rooted perennials with pinnately divided leaves and showy flowerheads, double in many cultivars, in summer and autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationPlant tubers 10-15cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, in full sun. Cut back to near ground level in mid-autumn. In mild areas, and on well-drained soils, leave the tubers in the ground and protect with a deep, organic mulch. In colder areas, or on heavy soils, lift and store the tubers and replant in late spring after all danger of frost has passed. See dahlia cultivation and our video How to plant dahlia tubers and care tips
PruningDeadhead to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by basal softwood cuttings taken in spring from shoots from stored tubers, or divide the tubers, ensuring that each division has a viable bud
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, earwigs, caterpillars, slugs, glasshouse red spider mite, and onion thrips
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, dahlia mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, storage rots, leafy gall, crown gall, dahlia smut, grey moulds, fungal leaf spot, phytophthora, sclerotinia, verticillium wilts, and virus diseases