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.
'Antibes'
Rust, magenta, burgundy: Dahlia 'Antibes' seems to borrow its colours from the last warm light of summer. Its fully double, decorative blooms are packed with broad, gently rounded petals in rich reddish-brown, with flashes of copper and touches of golden yellow tucked towards the centre. Look closely and the shades shift from petal to petal, giving each flower an almost burnished finish. At around 12–14cm across, the blooms are generous without being overwhelming, and the bronze-tinged stems make a lovely contrast with the dark green leaves. Dahlia 'Antibes' grows to around 90–110cm, producing an abundance of flowers from midsummer until autumn frosts. It's a wonderfully warm colour for the season when everything begins to mellow.
Plant Dahlia 'Antibes' in a sunny, sheltered border where its deep tones can mingle with apricot dahlias, late-flowering salvias and airy ornamental grasses. It's particularly effective alongside pale cream flowers, which bring out the coppery highlights. The upright stems also make Dahlia 'Antibes' an excellent choice for cutting, and regular picking or deadheading will keep the buds coming. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil, water during dry spells and provide support as the stems fill with flowers. Start the tubers under cover in spring, or plant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. Lift and store them somewhere frost-free for winter in colder UK gardens. With Dahlia 'Antibes', autumn colour starts well before the leaves begin to turn.
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 'Antibes'
- Flower colour
- Pink, red, coral, magenta
- 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
Expert care from
choice to delivery
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