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
Deluxe
Dahlia
'Liquid Desire'
Struggling to decide if you prefer single or double dahlias? Dahlia 'Liquid Desire' could be the one for you! These category-defying blooms bear a single row of petals with a bonus layer of small, curved petals, resulting in a charming, lightly shaggy look. With a golden yellow centre, and deep, dark magenta petals fading to white at their tips, the flowers of Dahlia 'Liquid Desire' have a sumptuous, hand-painted look. We love them in a rich, jewel-like colour scheme with reds, oranges, and purples.
For the biggest impact, plant your 'Liquid Desire' dahlias in groups of five or more. To bulk up your collection, why not try propagating them yourself? Dahlias come spectacularly easily from cuttings, using the new shoots as they first emerge in early spring. Simply snip off once about 8cm tall and insert in a pot of free-draining compost. Given warmth, light and regular misting, roots should appear within a few weeks.
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 'Liquid Desire'
- Flower colour
- Magenta
- 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
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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