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Summer Bulbs & Tubers
Summer Bulbs & Tubers
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Bare-root Perennials
Bare-root Perennials
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Dahlia 'Babylon Purple'
£4.39
Unit price perEstimated Delivery between January 10 and January 12.
Dahlia 'Babylon Purple' produces large, fully double purple flowers with that classic ‘dinnerplate’ impact. Strong stems and an upright habit make it a great backdrop plant in mixed borders, and a reliable source of bold, saturated colour for late-summer arrangements.
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.
Dahlia 'Babylon Purple'
Dahlia 'Babylon Purple' produces large, fully double purple flowers with that classic ‘dinnerplate’ impact. Strong stems and an upright habit make it a great backdrop plant in mixed borders, and a reliable source of bold, saturated colour for late-summer arrangements.
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.
| Botanical name | Dahlia 'Babylon Purple' (Decorative Group) |
| Flower colour | Large, fully double purple flowers (dinnerplate style) |
| Tuber size | II |
| Established height | 1–1.2 m |
| Established spread | 50–60cm |
| Plant spacing | 3–5 per m² |
| Leaf colour | Green |
| Habit | Clump-forming |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Hardiness | Half hardy (H3) |
| Years to establish | 1st year |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Position | Sheltered |
| Suitable for | Pots, Borders, Cutting garden |
| Soil acidity | Any |
| Soil moisture | Moist but well-drained |
| Soil type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| RHS Award (AGM) | No |
| Growing skill | Easy to grow |
| Pollinator-friendly | No |
| Deer resistant | No |
Planting and Flowering Calendar
Key Features
Packed in paper
Packed peat-free
Great for Shade
Good for cutting
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Kind Words from Our Gardeners
Arrived quickly and well-packaged. Planted them in some pots on the patio and they all came up. Look beautiful. Thank you!
Careane Wallace
The bulbs arrived beautifully packaged and you could just tell they were excellent quality. We had the most wonderful display of daffodils this spring on our patio. Simply stunning. Will definitely be ordering again
David P
I ordered the mixed hyacinth collection and the scent in my garden this April was absolutely heavenly. Every single bulb produced a strong, beautiful flower and the colours were stunning together. A fantastic purchase, I'll be back for more next year!
Eleanor R
Somerset