About
A strong, clump-forming, bushy tuberous perennial to around 90cm in height, with dark green serrated leaves. Large, spiky, cactus-form velvety soft pink flowers with ivory-white centres appear from summer through 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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeBedding, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun. Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy plants and stake taller dahlias, see staking perennials. Water freely in dry periods. Lift and store tubers in autumn to replant or use as a source of cuttings in spring. See dahlia cultivation and our video How to plant dahlia tubers and care tips
PruningDeadhead spent flowers to encourage further flowering. Cut back to near ground level in autumn, before lifting and storing for the winter
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings taken in spring from shoots from stored tubers, or divide the tubers ensuring each division has a viable bud
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, glasshouse red spider mite and slugs. Earwigs sometimes damage blooms and capsid bugs and caterpillars are occasional pests
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions; grey moulds and other fungal rots in wet conditions; fungal rots can damage stored tubers and a virus can cause stunting, leaf markings and distortion