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
'HS Princess'
Single open-flowered dahlias continue to grow in popularity, and newcomer Dahlia 'HS Princess' is in the elite of this class, winner of a coveted Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Such royal credentials don’t come easily, but this lovely dahlia has earnt it with a combination of gorgeous foliage, elegant flowers and simply being a great-performing garden plant. Luxurious dark, almost-black leaves, stems and buds create a stunning contrast with the refreshing daisy-like flowers, in ivory-white brushed with lavender-mauve, and a prominent golden yellow disc in the centre. Dahlia 'HS Princess' has elegance, glamour and charisma, and it’s easy to see why she has won the hearts of the RHS judges.
Dahlia 'Happy Single Princess' is not just a great looker, but is also an adaptable and reliable garden plant. A compact size of around 80cm in height makes this a perfect dahlia for pots, and it’s also easily slotted into garden beds and borders to create a bit of a wow-factor. Think of those dark obsidian leaves creating fabulous contrasts with other plants through the summer and autumn, particularly when planted in large groups of 3, 5 or 7. What’s more, Dahlia 'HS Princess' is superb for wildlife-friendly gardens, its open flowers easily accessible and popular with bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, providing them with late-season pollen and nectar. It’s difficult to think of a dahlia that ticks more boxes than this one.
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 'Happy Single Princess' ('HS Princess'ᴾᴮᴿ) (Happy Single Series)
- Flower colour
- White, pink
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Bronze
- 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
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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