The 2025 Dahlia Collection
This collection has been selected by Marylyn Abbott who designs the West Green House plantings and looks always for the most unusual styles and exceptional colour.
She is fascinated by the new anemone style introductions, and how fabulous and extraordinarily useful the giant dinner plate dahlia’s are in colour and size at the back of the border, asking annually “why did not I plant more?”
Showing 1–12 of 20 results
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Akita
Dinner plate, H:1m Flower:30cm An award winning dahlia in the most dramatic sunset colours graduating from yellow through orange to gold tipped petals. It’s in a league of its own. Try to group it with a lower growing orange and red “Bishop” dahlia for great garden colour. £6.95Add to basket In stock -
Ambition
Cactus, H: 1m Classic shape and magenta coloured dahlia with spikey fimbriated petals is so free flowering that the small 10cm flowers look to smother the plant. £5.50Add to basket In stock -
Bishop of York
Anemone, H:70cm Flower:10cm The “Bishop” dahlias are a superb range of single free flowering dahlias of vibrant colour which are always reliable and excellent grown in pots. The entire length of the walled garden has become West Green’s new dahlia bed. £5.50Add to basket In stock -
Blue Bayou
Anemone, H: 90cm Flower:7cm A stiff plum coloured powder puff of petals is encircled with flat pink petals, a dahlia that flowers abundantly all season. Try planting this brilliant plant through grasses of a similar height to add a smart look to your garden. £5.50Add to basket In stock -
Bohemian Spartacus
Dinner plate, H:1.2m Flower:25cm Words like “stunning, unique, must have” describe this giant crimson splashed gold dinner plate dahlia that will light up the back border. Each petal waves backwards, not any flower the same, making it a work of art. £6.95Add to basket In stock -
Cafe au Lait
Dinner plate H:1.2m Flower:20cm Imagine the froth of a capuccino, for this is the colour of this majestic dahlia, one of the most glamorous and sort after varieties, beloved by brides and flower stylists. All the “au lait” dahlias should be staked so you can see the magnificent blooms. £6.95Add to basket In stock -
Cafe au Lait Twist
Dinner plate, H 1.2m Cafe au lait Twist has big, bold 20 centimetre flowers with petals splashed with candy pink flecks and stripes, a sassy offspring of the “au lait” family. £6.95Add to basket In stock -
Creme de Cassis
Water Lily, H: 90cm The immaculate lavender pink petals have a burgundy reverse creating instant colour impact. This water lily style dahlia is an unusual colour way that always warrants a second look. £5.50Add to basket In stock -
Creme de Cognac
Water Lily, H: 90 cm Another beautiful two toned colour way in the water lily style but this time the upper petals are pinky peach with a dash of cherry red beneath. The “cassis” dahlias are easy to arrange and last well in water. £5.50Add to basket In stock -
Electric Flash
Cactus, H: 1m A firework explosion of yellow and red pointed petals making a strong upright electric colour splash along the back border. £5.50Add to basket In stock -
Hollyhill Spider Woman
Cactus, H:70cm Flower:20cm A new and unique weirdly wonderful flower that is a tangled collection of quill like petals in magenta and white that reminds me of a bad hair day. A flower arrangers delight and a must have garden show stopper. £6.95Add to basket In stock -
Mediterranee
Decorative, H: 1.2m An exquisite coloured dahlia in white and mauve that needs full sun and a drained soil to perform well. A recent introduction sure to become a favourite. £6.95Add to basket In stock
TIPS for Growing and Storing Dahlias
Dahlia tubers may be potted on from April and left in a light and warm space till transplanted as the new leaves appear in late June. Hopefully the frosts will have ended, but if a late frost is forecast just cover with frost proof cloth.
Pot up in well drained peat free compost, water, then leave, for too much water will cause the tuber to rot.
Once a number of leaves begin to appear on the tuber pinch out all but say 4 groups of leaves this will leave four strong stems to grow.
Plant out in a sunny position in well-drained soil, placing the tuber “eyes up” just under the ground where some gravel placed at the bottom of the hole can assist with drainage if the soil has too much clay.
Stake the plants immediately, as they grow quickly and can be damaged by wind and heavy rain
Water during dry spells.
After the first frosts the Dahlias will become dark brown. Leave the frosted Dahlias in situ for around a week or two. Do not leave the plants too long as they must not freeze.
I like to cut back the frosted foliage leaving just a short 4” stem.
Once the tubers are dug up, leave the soil to dry. When dry shake off and dust off any clogged soil between the tubers then store in open crates so the air may circulate
Dahlias are quite delicate and do not like to be stacked together as if they are too close, they can absorb moisture and rot can occur.
To protect the Dahlia, place them in sawdust or wrap in newspaper. Store away from the light in a dry space that does not fall below 40/50 degrees.
As climate change is giving us warmer winters many people advocate leaving the Dahlias in situ and cover generously with compost.
I tried this and lost nearly all my dahlia collection, so I do not recommend. Also do not store in an unheated glasshouse as the cold from frost will kill the tuber.