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
'Nonette'
With its apricot petals scattered in crimson freckles, Dahlia 'Nonette' looks as though a painter has been rather generous with the finishing touches. The broad, softly cupped petals unfold in layers around a closely gathered centre, forming a graceful, waterlily-shaped flower. Colours wander from buttery cream and peach to warm salmon-orange, while fine carmine streaks and flecks appear in patterns that never quite repeat. Some blooms are delicately speckled; others have much bolder markings, and the colours often soften as the flowers mature. Measuring around 12–15cm across, the flowers have an inviting, relaxed shape, quite different from the tight geometry of ball dahlias. Dahlia 'Nonette' brings a playful note to late-summer borders, without losing any of its elegance.
Try Dahlia 'Nonette' with dusky pink cosmos, pale yellow flowers and wisps of ornamental grass, allowing its unusual markings to be seen up close. The blooms of Dahlia 'Nonette' are lovely for cutting too, and a few stems can give a simple vase a wonderfully personal feel. Plants generally reach around 70–110cm, depending on growing conditions, and enjoy a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil. Water during dry spells, support taller stems where needed and remove spent flowers to encourage fresh blooms until autumn frosts. Start tubers under cover in spring, or plant outdoors once frost has passed, lifting them for frost-free storage in colder UK gardens. With Dahlia 'Nonette', the next flower is never entirely predictable.
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 'Nonette'
- Flower colour
- Pink, peach, red
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 50-70m
- 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
Top-size tubers
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