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
'Bolt'
The softest shades often make the most pleasing combinations, and Dahlia 'Bolt' is a lovely example. Its neat, rounded flowers begin in buttery pale yellow, with creamy highlights and an occasional delicate blush of pink towards the outer petals. As the blooms mature, these colours mingle gently, so a single plant can carry flowers in slightly different shades. The petals curl inwards and overlap closely, creating the beautifully regular, almost quilted texture characteristic of a ball dahlia. Measuring around 7–10cm across, the flowers are charming rather than oversized, with plenty of substance for cutting. Dahlia 'Bolt' grows to around 60cm, bringing its softly luminous blooms into view from midsummer until the first autumn frosts.
There's a quiet confidence to Dahlia 'Bolt' that makes it particularly easy to use. Its creamy yellow blooms sit comfortably alongside lavender-blue salvias, dusty pink cosmos or deeper plum-coloured dahlias, brightening the planting without overwhelming it. Thanks to its manageable height, Dahlia 'Bolt' is a good choice for the middle of a border or a generous patio container, where you can enjoy the flowers up close. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, well-drained soil; keep plants watered during dry weather and pick or deadhead regularly to encourage further blooms. Start tubers under cover in spring or plant outdoors after the last frost, then store them somewhere frost-free over winter in colder parts of the UK. Dahlia 'Bolt' also makes a beautiful cut flower, especially in relaxed bunches of late-summer favourites.
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 'Bolt'
- Flower colour
- Yellow, pink
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 50-70m
- 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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