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
'Titan Spectra'
With all the warmth of a glowing sunset, Dahlia 'Titan Spectra' unfolds in generous layers of coral-red and fiery orange, with golden-yellow tones shining through towards its heart. Each broad petal is slightly curved and unevenly shaded, giving the flowers wonderful movement rather than perfect symmetry. Some blooms lean towards deep tangerine, while others carry warmer red brushstrokes, particularly across the outer petals. Part of the Titan series of large decorative dahlias, Dahlia 'Titan Spectra' can produce impressively substantial flowerheads, especially when a few side buds are removed to encourage the main bloom. Against fresh green foliage, those rich, luminous colours bring a remarkable sense of warmth to the late-summer garden.
Give Dahlia 'Titan Spectra' a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil and enough room for its magnificent flowers to develop. Growing to around 90–110cm, it looks particularly beautiful among deep purple salvias, bronze grasses and cream-flowered companions, where its orange and coral tones appear even richer. The sturdy, upright stems make it a lovely choice for cutting, too, with even a single large bloom bringing plenty of character to an arrangement. Provide support before flowering begins, water thoroughly during dry spells and remove faded blooms to encourage a generous succession of flowers into autumn. For especially impressive flowerheads, allow just one main bud to develop on selected stems. With Dahlia 'Titan Spectra', summer colour comes on a wonderfully grand scale.
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 'Titan Spectra'
Dahlia 'Titan Lighthouse' - Flower colour
- Coral, peach, red
- 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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