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.
'Zippity Do Da'
Have a wonderful day, every day through summer with Dahlia 'Zippity Do Da'! This undeniably cheerful pompom dahlia mixes that playfulness with a simple carefree attitude, producing delightful pops of flowers, each perfectly-placed lilac-pink petal defined by n ombre to white. These dainty pompons are just 5-6cm across, yet are produced in great profusion and over many weeks from summer through to the first frosts. And who wouldn’t be happy with up to three months of Dahlia 'Zippity Do Da'? My-oh-my!
Dahlia 'Zippity Do Da' makes a sturdy and upright plant, about 75cm in height, ideal for the mid-tier of flower borders, and not too tall for a decent-sized container, so you can grow it on patios, terraces or balconies. It’s also great as a cut flower, having the typical pompom dahlia’s excellent staying power and resistance to fading. All dahlias thrive on a regime of good watering and feeding, enjoying a rich soil and a dose of sunshine.
'Zippity Do Da' dahlias perform brilliantly as garden plants, producing colour in the height of summer through to the fading days of autumn, when we value it most. Though they are not hardy, their tubers can either be stored over-winter to protect them from frosts, or in milder climates left outside covered in a good, thick mulch. With this treatment, they can be enjoyed for years to come.
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 'Zippity Do Da'
- 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
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.