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
New
Dahlia
'Advance'
Some dahlias settle on a colour; Dahlia 'Advance' prefers to keep you guessing. Its enormous, loosely layered flowers open in buttery yellow, gradually developing a delicate pink blush as they mature. One bloom may remain almost entirely yellow, while its neighbour takes on warm shades of peach and salmon, creating a wonderfully varied display on the same plant. The broad, slightly irregular petals give each flower a softly ruffled appearance, rather than the neat symmetry of a formal decorative dahlia. Flowerheads can reach 18–24cm across when disbudded, and plants grow to around 100–110cm tall. From midsummer into autumn, Dahlia 'Advance' brings a generous wash of colour to the border, with a gentleness that makes its size all the more surprising.
Give Dahlia 'Advance' a sunny, sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil, with strong support for those substantial blooms. Its creamy yellows and pinks look lovely beside deep plum foliage, purple salvias and the fine texture of ornamental grasses. Dahlia 'Advance' is equally appealing in a vase, where its changing colours make each arrangement a little different. For particularly large blooms, remove some side buds so the plant directs its energy into fewer flowerheads. Water during dry spells and deadhead regularly to encourage fresh flowers. Start the tubers under cover in spring, planting outside once frosts have passed, and lift them for frost-free storage in colder gardens. Dahlia 'Advance US' is a fine choice for anyone who likes their summer flowers plentiful, expressive and full of little surprises.
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 'Advance US'
- Flower colour
- Peach, orange, cream, yellow
- 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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