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
'Kees Verkade'
Painted in generous strokes of red over glowing apricot-orange, Dahlia 'Kees Verkade' looks as though an artist has been at work among the flowers. Each fully double bloom is a lively arrangement of broad, overlapping petals, with yellow and golden-orange showing between vivid scarlet markings. The colouring varies beautifully from petal to petal: some are boldly striped, others seem dipped in red, and a deeper, tightly gathered centre adds to the effect. Reaching up to around 18cm across, the decorative flowers bring plenty of colour without losing their natural, slightly playful character. Dahlia 'Kees Verkade' is named after a celebrated Dutch sculptor, which makes its painterly appearance all the more delightful.
Give Dahlia 'Kees Verkade' a place where its warm colours can glow among late-summer planting. It looks particularly good beside plum-coloured salvias, cream dahlias and airy ornamental grasses, while its sturdy stems make it excellent for cutting. At approximately 1m tall, Dahlia 'Kees Verkade' has enough height for the middle of a generous border, especially when several tubers are planted together. Choose a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil, add support early and water well in dry spells. Pick flowers when fully open for a vase, or deadhead regularly to encourage another flush. From midsummer until the first frosts, Dahlia 'Kees Verkade' brings a bright, expressive finish to the season.
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 'Kees Verkade'
- Flower colour
- Orange, peach, red
- 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
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