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 collection
'La Dolce Vita'
Three dahlias, one rather irresistible colour palette. The Dahlia collection 'La Dolce Vita' brings together 'Dolce Anna', 'Dolce Eva' and 'Dolce Vera' in a wonderfully harmonious blend of cream, blush pink, peach and richer raspberry tones. 'Dolce Anna' lends the softest shades, with pale pink and buttery cream petals; 'Dolce Eva' warms things up with apricot and salmon-peach; and 'Dolce Vera' adds depth with dusky rose and berry-coloured centres. Each variety produces generously layered decorative flowers, creating an abundant display that feels beautifully natural rather than carefully arranged. As fresh blooms open through summer and into autumn, the balance of colours shifts gently from one week to the next. The Dahlia collection 'La Dolce Vita' is a lovely celebration of everything that makes late summer gardening such a pleasure.
Plant the Dahlia collection 'La Dolce Vita' together for a wonderfully coordinated border, or distribute the varieties among ornamental grasses, soft purple salvias and other summer favourites. Their complementary colours make them particularly lovely for cutting, too, with enough variation to create beautiful bouquets from just a few stems. Growing to around 100–120cm, these dahlias appreciate a sunny, sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil, with support as their stems develop. Water during dry spells and remove faded flowers to encourage fresh blooms until the first frosts. Start tubers under cover in spring or plant outside once frost has passed, lifting them for frost-free winter storage in colder UK gardens. With the Dahlia collection 'La Dolce Vita', the sweet life comes naturally.
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 collection 'La Dolce Vita'
- Flower colour
- Cream, pink, peach, yellow, coral
- 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
Good for cutting
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
Top-size tubers
-30%
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Allium 'Purple Sensation'
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Fritillaria meleagris 'Mix'
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Sale price
£6.90
-30%
Narcissus 'Double Mixed'
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£5.25
Sale price
£7.50
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