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
'Willeke Alberti'
With the warmth of late summer captured in every petal, Dahlia 'Willeke Alberti' brings a beautiful mix of copper-orange, burnished apricot and deep reddish brushstrokes to the border. Its fully double decorative flowers unfold in generous layers, each broad petal catching the light a little differently. Some blooms lean towards glowing tangerine, while others reveal richer rust-red tones, giving the plant a pleasing variety of colour without losing its harmony. At around 10–15cm across, the flowers are substantial enough to command attention, yet wonderfully useful for arranging. Named after one of the Netherlands' best-loved singers, Dahlia 'Willeke Alberti' has an appropriately warm and expressive character, flowering from midsummer into autumn.
Let Dahlia 'Willeke Alberti' mingle with deep plum salvias, airy bronze grasses and cream-flowered companions, where its copper tones will look especially rich. The long, sturdy stems make it a natural choice for cutting, so you can enjoy those glowing colours indoors as well as in the garden. Grow Dahlia 'Willeke Alberti' in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil, allowing room for its upright, bushy growth. Support taller stems as they develop and water well during dry spells, particularly when the buds are forming. Regular picking and deadheading encourage fresh blooms right through the season. In a border or a vase, Dahlia 'Willeke Alberti' has all the charm of a memorable performance.
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 'Willeke Alberti'
- Flower colour
- Red, orange
- 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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