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
'Sojo'
A little collar of petals gives Dahlia 'Sojo' a wonderfully distinctive appearance. Its broad outer petals open in soft apricot, powder pink and creamy white, with the colours blending as delicately as watercolours on paper. Around the golden-yellow centre sits a second ring of smaller, beautifully shaped petals, creating the charming two-tiered effect of a collarette dahlia. The flowers can reach approximately 10–15cm across, yet their open form gives them a lightness that fuller dahlias rarely achieve. As the blooms mature, their shades may soften, allowing several subtly different combinations to appear on the same plant. Bees and other pollinating insects appreciate the accessible flower centres, too. Dahlia 'Sojo' is a particularly lovely way to bring gentle colour and natural movement to summer borders.
Growing to around 140–160cm, Dahlia 'Sojo' carries its delicate flowers high above fresh green foliage, creating an airy display among neighbouring perennials. Try it with lavender-blue salvias, pale pink cosmos and ornamental grasses, or plant several together for a generous gathering of pastel flowers. Give Dahlia 'Sojo' a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil, and provide sturdy support for its tall stems. Water during dry spells and remove faded blooms regularly to encourage fresh flowers from midsummer into autumn. Start tubers under cover in spring or plant outside once frost has passed, lifting them for frost-free winter storage in colder UK gardens. For all its considerable height, Dahlia 'Sojo' has an appealingly delicate character.
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 'Sojo'
Dahlia 'FDM's SoJo' - Flower colour
- Pink, white
- 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
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
Top-size tubers
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