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
'Felida Solar Flare'
It's easy to see where Dahlia 'Felida Solar Flare' gets its name. Its radiant flowers seem to glow from within, blending golden yellow, warm apricot and coral pink in a wonderfully expressive display. Each narrow petal begins in softer yellow or peach tones before developing deeper pink towards its pointed tip, creating an almost sunburst effect. The petals twist and curl slightly, sometimes with delicate splits at their ends, giving the flowers a lively, feathery appearance. A beautiful example of a semi-cactus dahlia, Dahlia 'Felida Solar Flare' produces blooms approximately 10–16cm across, with subtle variations in colour from one flower to the next. Its upright stems carry those glowing flowerheads above fresh green foliage from midsummer into autumn, bringing a little warmth even on the cloudiest summer day.
With its beautifully blended colouring, Dahlia 'Felida Solar Flare' looks particularly lovely among soft pink cosmos, purple salvias and airy ornamental grasses. Its long stems and intricate flowers also make it an excellent choice for cutting, especially in arrangements of peach, apricot and coral tones. Grow Dahlia 'Felida Solar Flare' in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil, providing support as the stems develop. Water during dry spells and remove fading flowers regularly to encourage fresh buds into autumn. Start the tubers under cover in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed, lifting them for frost-free winter storage in colder UK gardens. With Dahlia 'Felida Solar Flare', every flower seems to capture a little of the summer sunshine.
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 'Felida Solar Flare'
- Flower colour
- Pink, apricot, salmon
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 1-1.2m
- 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
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