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
'Sweet Sanne'
Before the flowers have even opened, Dahlia 'Sweet Sanne' offers a hint of what's to come. Rich crimson buds rise on dark, wine-coloured stems, then unfold into beautifully layered blooms of peach, apricot and warm blush pink. At their heart, tightly curled petals deepen to a surprising rose-lilac purple, creating a contrast that's both gentle and wonderfully distinctive. The colour changes as each bloom matures, so one stem may carry fresh peach tones while another is almost antique pink. With rounded decorative flowers around 10–13cm across, Dahlia 'Sweet Sanne' looks carefully composed, although nature has clearly enjoyed mixing the palette. Its dark green foliage sets off those soft shades beautifully.
In a cutting garden, Dahlia 'Sweet Sanne' earns its place twice over: the long, dark stems are useful for arranging, and the flowers seem to pair effortlessly with cream, lavender and dusky rose. Plant it among airy grasses and purple salvias, or give several plants space to form a generous sweep of changing colour. Dahlia 'Sweet Sanne' enjoys a sunny, sheltered border with fertile, well-drained soil, and benefits from staking as its flowering stems lengthen. Keep it watered during dry spells and pick blooms regularly to encourage another flush, right through summer and into autumn. For a bouquet that looks beautifully coordinated without being too carefully matched, Dahlia 'Sweet Sanne' is a particularly lovely choice.
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 'Sweet Sanne'
- Flower colour
- Pink
- 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
Top-size tubers
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