Dahlias are half hardy, so keep them protected from frost. Pot tubers individually between February and April and grow them on in a greenhouse or bright indoor position. Alternatively, start them outside in May, once the risk of frost has passed.
Out of season
Introduce contrast to your planting schemes with blooms from the dahlia dark side, such as those of bewitching Dahlia 'Dark Spirit'. The near-black loose pompon flowers of this shadowy number are exquisitely formed and the darkness of the petals is so alluring. It’s a prolific variety which typically exudes a generous quantity of gloriously dark blooms through the season. You'll notice their intense, almost black colour from afar, and find the flower form is a detailed masterpiece to admire close up too. Use Dahlia 'Dark Spirit' to highlight the colours in your garden and add depth to your displays.
Flowering from summer right into autumn, combine Dahlia 'Dark Spirit' with dusky orange and red for a cosy, warm laste-season display. On the flip side, near-black being a very versatile colour, it combines just as well with bright pinks and purples as well as soft pastels! Dahlia 'Dark Spirit', like most other dahlias, is not only powerful in the garden but also a fantastic cut flower. The blooms last well, have a good stem length and it's very abundant. Once this black ball dahlia gets going, you can cut the flowers to create indoor arrangements and still leave plenty to enjoy on the plant.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
For planting out later, use a snug-fitting 15–20cm pot filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. For a patio display, plant directly into a container at least 30cm wide and keep it somewhere bright and frost free until it can move outdoors.
Position the old stem facing upwards, with the tubers covered and the stem stump level with the compost. Tubers naturally vary in size and shape and may arrive without visible buds. Bent necks are usually fine if they remain firmly attached, so do not remove them.
Water after planting, then allow the compost to become almost dry before watering again while the tuber remains dormant. Once shoots and leaves are growing strongly, water more regularly, always allowing excess water to drain away.
Plant out after the last frost, once the plant is around 20–30cm tall and its roots hold the compost together. Space dahlias approximately 30–50cm apart in borders, allowing less room for compact varieties. Water thoroughly after planting.
Water regularly during active growth and deadhead or cut flowers often. Dahlias usually bloom from July or August until the first frost, although later-planted tubers may start in late August or September. In autumn, lift, clean and dry the tubers, then store them somewhere cool, dry, airy and frost free.
- Botanical name
- Dahlia 'Dark Spirit' (D)
- Flower colour
- Near-black
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 5 tubers per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Coastal gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Good for cutting
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
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Dahlia 'Dark Spirit' reviews
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