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Dahlia sprite
FlowersTenderPerennial (short-lived)

Dahlia

Dahlia is a tender tuberous perennial grown for richly coloured flowers in an exceptional range of forms, sizes and planting styles. It is one of the strongest late-summer performers for borders and cutting gardens when given warmth, fertility and regular picking.

Basic information

Category
Flowers
Lifecycle
Perennial (short-lived)
Hardiness
Tender
Planting partners
0 companions · 0 crops to avoid

Growth profile

Germination window
7–14 days
Germination temperature
18–22 °C
Plant spacing
60 cm
Row spacing
75 cm
Sowing depth
2 cm
Height
120 cm
Spread
60 cm

Calendar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Flowering / Harvest
Timings based on average frost dates in the UK. Sign up to set your frost dates.

Care tips

Plant dahlias into fertile well-drained soil after frost risk has passed, pinch the tips of young plants if bushier growth is wanted, and support taller varieties before flowers appear. Deadhead or cut flowers regularly, feed as buds develop, and lift or protect tubers in colder areas.

Common pests

Slugs, earwigs, aphids, powdery mildew.

Companions

No companion crops have been added yet.

Don’t grow with

No crops to avoid have been added yet.