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
'Frank's Favourite'
Copper, amber and glowing orange give Dahlia 'Frank's Favourite' all the warmth of a late summer afternoon. Its broad outer petals are a vivid, burnished orange, touched with subtle reddish streaks and deeper rust tones towards their edges. But the real surprise is at the centre, where a little ring of narrow, curling red petals gathers around a generous golden-yellow disc. This unusual arrangement gives the flowers a lively, almost playful character, with the delicate inner collar contrasting beautifully against the broad outer petals. A collarette dahlia with plenty of personality, Dahlia 'Frank's Favourite' produces flowers around 10–15cm across, carried on upright stems above fresh green foliage. The open centres are particularly welcoming to bees, making this colourful variety as appealing to visiting insects as it is to gardeners.
Let Dahlia 'Frank's Favourite' bring a rich splash of autumnal colour to borders alongside deep purple salvias, airy bronze grasses and softer apricot flowers. Its warm tones look especially beautiful in the lower light of late summer, when the petals take on an almost coppery glow. Growing to around 100–120cm, Dahlia 'Frank's Favourite' appreciates a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil and support for its flowering stems. Water during dry spells and remove faded flowers regularly to encourage fresh blooms until the first frosts. The stems can also be cut for informal arrangements, bringing their interesting flower form indoors. Start tubers under cover in spring or plant outside once frost has passed, lifting them for frost-free winter storage in colder UK gardens. Dahlia 'Frank's Favourite' makes a wonderfully cheerful companion for the changing seasons.
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 'Frank's Favourite'
- Flower colour
- Peach, orange, red
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 50-70cm
- 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
- Yes
- 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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