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.
'Bonanza'
Fun-in-a-bun Dahlia 'Bonanza' has so many notable features that it’s starting to show off. You’ll find yourself mesmerised by those swirling petals which form each pompon bloom, not only for their precision placement but for their colour too. Clothed in exquisite tones of mango fading to apricot with delicate strokes of raspberry on the upper-side of each petal, then there’s a syrupy cassis pink on the underside of each petal to bring a contrasting tone into the mix. Petals emerging in the centre form a rich pink middle which is often centred with a zesty green eye. This has all the bells and whistles, just imagine how much life and soul Dahlia 'Bonanza' will bring to the dahlia party!
Growing to roughly 1m tall, Dahlia 'Bonanza' will thrive in sun or partial shade, in a moist, free-draining soil. There’s a lot to take in with this dahlia so you can make a feature of it among more simple, block colour dahlias in similarly toasty autumn shades or turn it tropical by combining with the brightest dahlias you can find and mingling with leafy plants like cannas. If you’re rather taken with Dahlia 'Bonanza', then you’ll be pleased to know these wonderfully exotic and highly floriferous blooms are perfect for cutting. The more you cut, the more will grow! Enjoy a continuous show through summer and into autumn.
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 'Bonanza'
- Flower colour
- Orange, peach
- 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
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.