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
'Ambition'
Some dahlias favour neat symmetry; Dahlia 'Ambition' prefers a little exuberance. Its magenta-purple flowers are a glorious tangle of narrow, curling petals, each one split at the tip into tiny fringes. This is a fimbriated cactus dahlia, a name that sounds rather technical for something so delightfully unruly. With blooms reaching up to 15cm across, Dahlia 'Ambition' has plenty of presence, yet the finely textured petals give the flowers a surprisingly light, almost feathery quality. They keep appearing from midsummer into autumn, bringing a generous splash of colour just when earlier summer favourites begin to fade. Reaching around 90cm tall, Dahlia 'Ambition' is made for the lovely, slightly wild abundance of a late-season border.
There's a particular pleasure in pairing Dahlia 'Ambition' with dusky plum salvias, wine-coloured dahlias and airy ornamental grasses. Those rich purple tones look equally good against softer pinks, if you prefer a more relaxed combination. Grow it in a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, well-drained soil, or give it a generous container on the patio. Regular watering in dry weather and removing spent flowers will help keep the display coming, while discreet support is useful once stems are carrying their full summer finery. Dahlia 'Ambition' also makes an excellent cut flower, bringing its wonderfully tousled character indoors. Start tubers under cover in spring or plant out once the risk of frost has passed, and lift them for frost-free winter storage in colder areas. A little preparation, rewarded with months of flowers.
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 'Ambition'
- Flower colour
- Purple, magenta
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 1-1.2m
- 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
Top-size tubers
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