Dahlias

Dahlia 'Genova' brings bicolour pompon blooms in white and lilac-purple tones to summer borders and cutting gardens, with bold flowerheads held on sturdy stems. Whether planted in drifts or dotted through mixed beds, the blooms add instant impact and keep coming through the warm months.

Once established, this clump-forming dahlia typically reaches 75 cm, producing plenty of long stems for cutting. Regular picking and deadheading encourages a steady succession of flowers from midsummer into autumn.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and enrich the planting area with compost for best results.

Water during dry spells, especially while buds form, and feed every two to three weeks through the flowering period. Taller plants benefit from discreet staking, and removing faded blooms keeps the plant productive and tidy.

Perfect for borders, patio pots and cutting gardens, dahlias are also pollinator-friendly in single-flowered forms. Lift and store the tubers after the first frosts in colder areas to enjoy an even better display the following year.

Dahlia 'Kelvin Floodlight' is a summer-flowering dahlia grown from a tuber, loved for huge primrose-yellow blooms that glow at dusk. The fully double, show-stopping blooms sit above fresh foliage and bring instant impact to borders, cutting gardens and large pots.

Flowers appear from mid-summer until the first frosts, especially if you keep deadheading. Dahlias are excellent cut flowers—snip stems regularly to encourage new buds. Its bright yellow is a classic choice for exhibitions and big borders.

Plant in fertile, humus-rich soil in a sunny, sheltered position. Start tubers in pots under cover in March or April, then plant out after frost risk has passed, or plant directly outside in May. Set tubers about 10–15cm deep and space plants 45–60cm apart.

This variety typically reaches 0.5–1 m with a spread of around 0.1–0.5 m. Taller types benefit from staking in windy spots. Water during dry spells and feed with a high-potash fertiliser every couple of weeks once buds form.

In autumn, once frost blackens the foliage, cut stems back and lift tubers to store cool, dry and frost-free. In very mild areas you can mulch and leave them in the ground. Replant in spring for another season of colour.

Dahlia 'Blue Bayou' brings anemone-flowered blooms in purple-pink tones to summer borders and cutting gardens, with bold flowerheads held on sturdy stems. Whether planted in drifts or dotted through mixed beds, the blooms add instant impact and keep coming through the warm months.

Once established, this clump-forming dahlia typically reaches 1.2 m, producing plenty of long stems for cutting. Regular picking and deadheading encourages a steady succession of flowers from midsummer into autumn.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and enrich the planting area with compost for best results.

Water during dry spells, especially while buds form, and feed every two to three weeks through the flowering period. Taller plants benefit from discreet staking, and removing faded blooms keeps the plant productive and tidy.

Perfect for borders, patio pots and cutting gardens, dahlias are also pollinator-friendly in single-flowered forms. Lift and store the tubers after the first frosts in colder areas to enjoy an even better display the following year.

Dahlia 'Pompon Mixed' brings a mixed selection of pompon dahlias in a wide colour range to summer borders and cutting gardens, with bold flowerheads held on sturdy stems. Whether planted in drifts or dotted through mixed beds, the blooms add instant impact and keep coming through the warm months.

Once established, this clump-forming dahlia typically reaches 80–120 cm, producing plenty of long stems for cutting. Regular picking and deadheading encourages a steady succession of flowers from midsummer into autumn.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and enrich the planting area with compost for best results.

Water during dry spells, especially while buds form, and feed every two to three weeks through the flowering period. Taller plants benefit from discreet staking, and removing faded blooms keeps the plant productive and tidy.

Perfect for borders, patio pots and cutting gardens, dahlias are also pollinator-friendly in single-flowered forms. Lift and store the tubers after the first frosts in colder areas to enjoy an even better display the following year.

Dahlia 'Labyrinth Twotone' produces huge, ruffled blooms in blended pink and white tones, with each flower slightly different and full of movement, giving borders a lush, painterly feel.

The flowers are exceptionally large and softly twisted, creating a strong focal point in the garden and spectacular stems for late-summer arrangements.

Plant tubers in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot after all risk of frost, improving the soil with compost and installing support early to carry the heavy flowers.

Water regularly through dry periods, keep deadheading to encourage fresh buds, and lift the tubers before winter frost in colder areas.

Dahlia 'Verrone’s Obsidian' is an orchid-form dahlia with starry, near-black blooms and a bright yellow centre. The open shape gives a modern look in the border and can be easier for pollinators to use than densely double dahlias—ideal for a dramatic cutting garden.

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.