Dahlia imperialis
Dahlia imperialis
Dahlia imperialis
Dahlia imperialis
Dahlia imperialis
Dahlia imperialis
Dahlia imperialis

Dahlia imperialis

"Bell tree dahlia"

Dahlia imperialis

1 tuber — £6.90

Spring planting season is currently closed 
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Delivery schedule

Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025

Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025

Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days

Available for (pre)ordering again in December
Free delivery on UK orders over £50
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UK orders over £50
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UK orders under £50
£4.99

Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99

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Description

The impressive Dahlia imperialis reaches heights often in excess of 250cm—in a single season! In their native environment (Mexico, Central America and Colombia), they can even grow to 8-10 metres tall. For this reason, it goes by several common names, including bell tree dahlia, giant dahlia or just tree dahlia. Its long, thick, bamboo-like stems are clothed in large, elder-like, fresh green leaves, making it a fine and splendid foliage plant. To ensure flowering, it needs to be grown in a frost-free situation. A warm autumn is when you are most likely to get the best flowering. When they come, the single blooms are of a gorgeous soft pink-purple, with orange centres.

Grow Dahlia imperialis in a moist but well-drained soil, in a sheltered spot in full sun. It is an ideal dahlia for a tropical border in the garden, or you can grow it in a large greenhouse or conservatory, where its chances of flowering are greatly increased. Its stems are so sturdy, there is usually no need to stake. As with all dahlias, lift the tubers of the bell tree dahlias and store them frost-free over winter.

Dahlias exhibit a diverse size spectrum, with varieties spanning from compact forms for flower beds to the towering Dahlia imperialis, native to areas stretching from Guatemala to Colombia, where it can reach heights exceeding 8 meters.

Key features

  • Comes back every year

  • Packed in paper bags

  • Low maintenance

  • May need winter cover

Specs & details

  • Botanical name

    Dahlia imperialis

  • Flower colour

    Pink, purple

  • Tuber size

    1

  • Established height

    2.5-3m

  • Established spread

    1-1.2m

  • Plant spacing

    1 tuber per m2

  • Leaf colour

    Green

  • Habit

    Upright

  • Life cycle

    Perennial

  • Hardiness

    Half hardy

  • Years to establish

    1st year

  • Sunlight

    Full sun
    Partial shade

  • Position

    Sheltered

  • Suitable for

    Borders
    Cottage gardens
    Low maintenance gardens

  • Soil acidity

    Any

  • Soil moisture

    Free draining

  • Soil type

    Loam
    Sandy
    Multipurpose compost
    Loam-based compost

  • Growing skill

    Easy to grow

  • Scented

    No

  • Pollinator-friendly

    No

  • Mouse resistant

    No

  • Rabbit resistant

    No

  • Deer resistant

    No

  • Toxicity

    No report

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
  • Planting
  • Flowering

Useful information

  • Orders placed until 29 February 2025
    You can expect your order in February/March 2025

    Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
    You can expect your order in March/April 2025

    Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
    You can expect your order within 10 business days

Dahlias in 60 seconds

Dahlias like full sun and a free-draining soil, and should be lifted and stored in winter, or at least protected with peat or straw. Dahlia flowers can range from 5 to 25cm in diameter and those magnificent larger-flowering dahlias might appreciate a little extra support with canes!

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