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
'Tom Pouce'
As tempting as a French pâtisserie, Dahlia 'Tom Pouce' brings a delicious combination of soft pink, peach and buttery yellow to the summer garden. Its generously sized flowers are packed with layers of long, elegantly pointed petals, creating a beautifully ruffled silhouette that almost resembles a semi-cactus dahlia. Warm yellow tones glow from the heart of each bloom, gradually giving way to delicate blush pink, with deeper raspberry-pink accents appearing along the petals and their reverse. Some flowers develop stronger pink markings than others, giving the display a wonderfully varied character. With blooms reaching approximately 15–20 cm across, Dahlia 'Tom Pouce' has a romantic, slightly playful quality that looks particularly lovely among soft-coloured perennials and ornamental grasses.
Growing to around 100–120 cm tall, Dahlia 'Tom Pouce' creates an impressive display towards the middle or back of a sunny border. Its strong, leafy stems carry a succession of magnificent flowers from midsummer until the first autumn frosts, bringing plenty of colour when many earlier favourites have finished. Plant Dahlia 'Tom Pouce' in fertile, well-drained soil, providing support for its generously proportioned blooms when needed. The flowers are also beautiful in larger arrangements, where their unusual petal shape and softly blended colours can be admired up close. Pair Dahlia 'Tom Pouce' with cream, apricot or deep burgundy varieties for a wonderfully considered late-summer planting scheme.
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 'Tom Pouce'
- Flower colour
- Pink, yellow
- 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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