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
'Cranberry Classic'
Each generously packed with perfectly two toned pink-purple and cranberry red petals, the flowers of Dahlia 'Cranberry Classic' have an exquisite, almost hand painted quality to them. We absolutely love seeing their precise, cultivated beauty contrasted against soft, naturalistic planting such as Persicaria 'Alba', Sanguisorba 'Proud Mary', Astrantia 'Claret', and grasses such as Pennisetum 'Fairy Tales' and Miscanthus 'Pink Cloud'.
To keep this dreamy display going for as long as possible, it is important to continually remove flowers before they have the chance to set seed. This may be done both by picking flowers to have in the house (and trust us, you will want to do this!), and deadheading those that have been left on the plant. Try not to get mixed up between old and new blooms… finished flowers are pointed and squishy, while unopened buds are rounded, glossy and firm. Snip off old blooms just above the first set of leaves you meet when following the stem down.
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 'Cranberry Classic'
- Flower colour
- Pink, purple, cranberry red
- 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
-20%
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Fritillaria meleagris 'Mix'
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Sale price
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Narcissus 'Double Mixed'
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Sale price
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