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
Dahlia
'Night Queen'
Evoke an air of intrigue with the flowers of Dahlia 'Night Queen'—some of the darkest red we’ve seen, and in some lights even appearing almost black! This dahlia is a decorative ball variety, meaning its blooms are small to medium and therefore easy to mix with other planting. Reaching a height of 1.2m, Dahlia 'Night Queen' is ideal for the middle to back of a border, its blooms blending easily with a wide range of colours. We love pairing it with deep orange tones like the classic Dahlia 'Bishop of Oxford'.
Being half-hardy (like all dahlias), in most UK regions Dahlia 'Night Queen' will require protection from the winter cold and damp. Lift and store tubers for safekeeping in a greenhouse or shed, or if you garden on light, well-draining soil or are in a milder area, you may get away with leaving them in the ground with a thick layer of mulch.
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 'Night Queen'
- Flower colour
- Near-black, red, brown
- Bulb 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 bulbs 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
-20%
Paeonia 'Lemon Chiffon'
Regular price
£52.00
Sale price
£65.00
-20%
Allium azureum
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£3.12
Sale price
£3.90
-20%
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
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£3.92
Sale price
£4.90
-20%
Fritillaria meleagris 'Mix'
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£4.96
Sale price
£6.20
-20%
Tulip 'Queen of Night'
Regular price
£5.52
Sale price
£6.90
-30%
Narcissus 'Double Mixed'
Regular price
£5.25
Sale price
£7.50
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