The 2025 Dahlia Collection

We have chosen twenty dahlias that we know are easy to grow and flower magnificently.
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 13–20 of 20 results

  • Mick’s Peppermint

    Semi Cactus Dinner Plate: H 1.2m A large and spectacular white dahlia flecked in deep pinks with flowers 25 centimetres wide. A beautiful statement dahlia for a prominent place but it is best staked. £5.50
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  • Mingus Joshua

    Cactus, H: 1m A sensational round shaggy apricot bloom that is certain to brighten your garden display. £5.50
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  • My Love

    Cactus, H:1.2m Flower:15cm A pure elegant white cactus style dahlia with quill like petals radiating from a greenish centre. It’s large flower is approximately 15 centimetres across and held on strong stems with bright green foliage. £5.50
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  • Octopus Sparkle

    Star Anemone, H: 1.2m This will be a flower arrangers delight for it could be called an orangeade coloured octopus strayed from the deep. Held aloft on strong stems its petals have been likened to both tentacles and stars. Try it for its great fun! £6.95
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  • Spartacus

    Dinner plate H: 1m It’s a favourite dahlia for its deep red colour so intense above lush green foliage. It is big and should be staked but try snipping off these gorgeous flower heads and place them in tiny vases, where the flower smothers the vase. Its instant impact and you don’t have any further... £6.95
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  • Take Off

    Anemone, H:90cm Flower:15cm A circle of rounded orchid pink petals surrounds a petal pin cushion of paler creme all held firmly on darker stems. The bees love these exquisite softly coloured anemone style blooms and it will flower until the frosts. Highly recommended. £5.50
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  • The Phantom

    Anemone, H: 90cm A pom-pom of ruffled deep red with hints of orange is bordered by pointed pink petals, making exciting form and colour. Free flowering from the summer to the first frosts. £5.50
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  • Totally Tangerine

    Anemone, H:70cm Flower:15cm It’s colour is sparkling Fanta in a ring of single petals around a deeply ruffled centre cushion. It looks so good growing through shimmering grasses in an Autumn Border. £5.50
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TIPS for Growing and Storing Dahlias

PLANTING

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.

LIFTING & STORING DAHLIAS

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.