Dark foliage, open flowers and a lighter summer rhythm
Bishop dahlias
23 results
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Bishop dahlias
Bishop dahlias are known for the contrast between their dark bronze to near-black foliage and open, single to semi-double flowers. Shades range from deep red and orange to pink and yellow, often set around a clearly visible central disc. That exposed centre makes them especially useful in pollinator-friendly planting, while the darker leaves give the plants presence long before the first flowers open.
The foliage of bishop dahlias is part of the display from the start. As the plants build through summer, their darker leaves sit naturally among grasses, salvias and other perennials, helping brighter flowers around them stand out without making the border feel heavy. Plant bishop dahlia tubers in spring after the risk of frost has passed, choosing a sunny position in fertile, well-drained soil. Regular deadheading encourages further buds, and taller varieties may benefit from support as the season progresses.
Rather than relying on dense flower heads, bishop dahlias bring contrast through leaf colour, open flower form and a steady run of blooms from midsummer into autumn. Repeat one variety through a mixed border for rhythm, or combine several bishop dahlia cultivars where the shared foliage colour can tie the planting together. In colder UK gardens, lift and store the tubers frost free over winter, ready to return to the border the following spring.
