About
A herbaceous perennial up to 1m high, with divided green leaves, and orange-tinged, golden yellow semi-cactus flowers, 25cm across, in summer.
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
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 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, enriched with organic matter, 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 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 and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, dahlia mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, storage rots, and leafy gall