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
Deluxe
Dahlia
'Dad's Favourite'
He must be a man with good taste, Dahlia 'Dad's Favourite' is indeed an absolute beauty. This anemone-flowered dahlia is bright, unusual, fun and also benefits pollinators with its big, generously nectar-rich blooms which bees and butterflies can’t resist. Rounded mauve petals encircle an oversized, powderpuff centre of tiny, crumpled pink petals, each edged in contrasting gold. Each curious bloom is perched on a dark stem that adds even more charm to this intriguing variety. Plant Dahlia 'Dad's Favourite' in your garden and it may well become one of your favourites too!
The buzz about Dahlia 'Dad's Favourite' isn’t just due to the wide flowerheads that create a tempting buffet for passing pollinating insects. There’s always hype about casually stylish cut flowers like these which bring a refreshing twist to summer arrangements. Anemone-flowered dahlias are increasingly popular for their stand-out flower shape, this variety in particular has handily long stems which makes them perfect for cutting. Reaching around 1m tall, the memorable Dahlia 'Dad's Favourite' is easy to grow and an undemanding addition to late summer borders or patio pots. Team it with perennials for a cottage garden feel or mingle it with airy grasses to deliver a burst of colour through summer and 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 'Dad's Favourite'
- Flower colour
- Pink
- 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
Wildlife 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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