About

An upright, bushy herbaceous perennial to 1.1m high, with dark green leaves and semi-cactus shaped flowerheads up to 20cm across, with soft peachy-orange florets. Flowers from summer to autumn, until the first frosts.

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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, in full sun; may require support, see staking (perennials). Lift and store tubers in autumn to replant or use as a source of cuttings in spring. For more advice, see dahlia cultivation and our video How to plant dahlia tubers and care tips
PruningDeadhead to prolong flowering. Cut back to near ground level in the autumn, before lifting and storing for the winter
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 16ºC in spring, harden off and plant out when all danger of frost has passed; or propagate by division, dividing tubers in early spring, ensuring each section has a growing shoot
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bugs, glasshouse red spider mite, caterpillars, earwigs and slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and virus diseases; tubers may rot in storage in damp conditions