Cafe Au Lait Dahlia

Dahlia ‘Café au Lait Rose’ is a breathtaking dinnerplate variety that offers a vibrant twist on the classic favourite, featuring massive, ruffled blooms in luscious shades of deep pink and magenta. A sport of the world-famous original, it retains the same impressive size and form but brings a richer, more intense colour palette to summer borders and bouquets.

Growing to a substantial height, this variety produces strong, sturdy stems capable of holding its heavy, multi-layered flowers. The petals curl and twist in a relaxed, informal habit, creating a sense of movement and luxury that makes it a standout feature in any garden scheme.

Plant in full sun to ensure the most vibrant colour saturation, in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. As a dinnerplate variety, it requires a sheltered spot away from strong winds to protect its large, heavy heads.

Water generously during dry spells to support the massive blooms, and deadhead regularly to encourage a continuous display until the first frosts. In colder climates, lift the tubers after the foliage blackens and store them frost-free over winter.

A brilliant choice for exhibition growing and luxury floristry, ‘Café au Lait Rose’ pairs beautifully with lighter pinks and creams, offering a romantic and opulent focal point at the back of the border.

Dahlia 'Café au Lait Twist' is a dinnerplate-style decorative dahlia with creamy petals and a lively pink ‘twist’ that makes every flower slightly different. The big heads are brilliant for bouquets and statement pots, and the plant keeps flowering right up to the first frosts.

For best results, start tubers in pots from March or April in a frost-free place, then plant out once the risk of frost has passed. Choose full sun and a warm, sheltered position, and mix in plenty of garden compost to improve structure and drainage.

Plant tubers about 10–15cm deep with the ‘eye’ facing upwards, spacing plants roughly 45–60cm apart. Keep the soil evenly moist as shoots develop. If you’re growing taller stems or larger flower heads, add a cane early so support is in place before flowering.

Water deeply in dry weather and feed every two to three weeks through summer with a high-potash fertiliser to encourage buds. Deadhead regularly and cut stems often—removing spent blooms helps direct energy into new flowers, giving you a longer, heavier display.

After the first frosts blacken the foliage, cut stems back and lift the tubers to store somewhere cool, dry and frost-free. In very mild areas you can mulch heavily, but lifting is safest. Replant next spring and you’ll usually see stronger plants each year.

Ranunculus 'Picotee Café' is a particularly refined ranunculus, celebrated for its richly toned, picotee-edged blooms in deep, coffee-and-caramel shades. Whether planted in smart pots by the door or woven through the front of a border, it brings a composed, curated look—and the stems are equally at home in a cut-flower arrangement.

For best results, choose a sheltered position with moist but well-drained soil and steady moisture while in growth. In colder spells, protect from hard frosts, as this variety is Half Hardy.

• Ideal for: Borders, containers and the cut flower garden
• Colour: Burgundy red with warm orange-gold tones
• Flower form: Double
• Height: 40–60cm