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
'Erpeler Ley'
Get ready for an inferno of colour with this total explosion of a bloom, Dahlia 'Erpeler Ley'. Named after a mountain, it is truly the summit of extravagant beauty. Like a volcano in action, these magnificent flowers are an eruption of wild and winding petals in lava-hot shades of red and orange. The twisted petals appear out of control and that’s all part of the fun. Making an eye-catching focal point in your borders and containers, Dahlia 'Erpeler Ley' grows to around 1.2m tall and spurts out these terrific flowers all summer long and into autumn.
The fiery flowers of Dahlia 'Erpeler Ley' are huge and utterly thrilling. Plant them in a worthy spot in full sun or partial shade and you will be bowled over with their beauty every day. The flowers are produced continuously when regularly cut or deadheaded. You'll want to flash a few of these around your home naturally, so go ahead, more will follow! Make a tropical statement with Dahlia 'Erpeler Ley' by planting it with big foliage plants like cannas. Or, mingle it into a mixed border and enjoy the impact it makes and contrast it creates with plant neighbours in cooler shades.
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 'Erpeler Ley'
- Flower colour
- Red, orange
- 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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