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This is a Cactus Dahlia mix. Native to Mexico and Central
America, Dahlias are tuberous rooted perennials in the
Aster family. A popular variety with florists and flower
arrangers which gives good quantities of large double and
semi-double flowers with distinctive spiky petals. They
grow to a height of 60 inches, 1.5 meter and spread over
40 inches, 1 meter.
Flowers from less than 4 inches to more than 10 inches
across. Petals are pointed and tubular. These bold
flowered Dahlias produce large, spiky cactus blooms in a
range of attractive colours. It flowers from July to
September. Remove deadheads to prolong flowering season.
Hardiness zones 7-10, (-15°C/5°F, 1°C/35°F) in Winter.
In all but the hottest climates, grow Dahlias in full sun.
In hot Summer areas, do best with some afternoon shade.
Dahlias prefer moist, but well-drained soil. If you have
sandy soil, add compost or other organic material to
increase water retention. For heavy clay soil, add sand
and organic material to increase drainage. The plants
should be watered regularly during dry spells.
Tubers are frost tender, but can be re-used each year if
they are lifted in the autumn and stored in the fridge.
Dahlia shoots are frost-sensitive; plant tubers in the
garden no sooner than two weeks before the last date of
Spring frost. In the South, plant tubers from April 15th
to May 1st. Or, to avoid the intense heat of midsummer,
plant in June so that flowers develop in the Fall.
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