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
'Valentino'
Soft pink rather than scarlet, Dahlia 'Valentino' has a gentler interpretation of its romantic name. Its beautifully filled flowers unfold in delicate shades of shell pink and pale salmon, with a warm peach glow that becomes especially lovely in the late-afternoon light. Broad, overlapping petals form generous decorative blooms, their softly rounded shape giving the flowers an easy elegance rather than a rigid, perfectly arranged appearance. Some blooms lean towards blush, while others reveal warmer apricot tones, creating a subtle mixture of colours throughout the season. Measuring around 10–15cm across, the flowers have plenty of presence without overwhelming their neighbours. Dahlia 'Valentino' grows to approximately 80–85cm, a useful height for bringing gentle colour to the middle of a summer border.
Allow Dahlia 'Valentino' to mingle with lavender-blue salvias, cream cosmos and fine ornamental grasses, or plant several together for a generous sweep of romantic pink. Its flowers are also lovely for cutting, where their blush and salmon tones sit naturally alongside deeper rose and plum shades. Give Dahlia 'Valentino' a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil, allowing enough space for its bushy growth. Water during dry spells and remove fading blooms regularly to encourage a fresh succession of flowers well into autumn. A discreet support can help keep flower-laden stems upright, particularly in more exposed borders. For a summer display that feels romantic without being overly sweet, Dahlia 'Valentino' finds just the right balance.
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 'Valentino'
- Flower colour
- Soft 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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