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
'Rock Star'
A rock star with a wonderfully extravagant hairstyle, Dahlia 'Rock Star' is anything but ordinary. A ring of broad, velvety petals in deep cranberry-red surrounds an extraordinary centre, packed with tightly curled, almost burgundy-black florets that rise into a wonderfully tousled pincushion. Look closely and you'll notice delicate violet-pink markings towards the petal tips, sometimes catching the light with an almost silvery sheen. Unlike the neatly arranged flowers of decorative or ball dahlias, this anemone-flowered variety has a beautifully free-spirited appearance. Measuring around 8–10cm across, the blooms are surprisingly intricate, with their dark, textured hearts providing a striking contrast to the smoother outer petals. Dahlia 'Rock Star' certainly has a personality worthy of its name.
Bring Dahlia 'Rock Star' into a summer border alongside lavender-blue salvias, pale pink cosmos and airy ornamental grasses, where its rich wine-red colouring looks particularly beautiful. The unusual flowerheads are equally captivating in a vase, adding wonderful texture and depth to freshly gathered bouquets. Growing to around 80–120cm, Dahlia 'Rock Star' appreciates a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil and a little support for its flowering stems. Pinching out the growing tips when plants are young encourages bushier growth, while regular picking and deadheading help keep fresh flowers coming from midsummer until the first frosts. With its distinctive shape and wonderfully moody colouring, Dahlia 'Rock Star' offers something quite different from the usual summer favourites.
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 'Rock Star'
- Flower colour
- Red, purple
- 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
Wildlife 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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