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
'Black Narcissus'
If there were ever a dahlia made for a little drama, Dahlia 'Black Narcissus' might be it. Its large, velvety flowers are such a deep wine-red that they can appear almost black, especially towards the centre. In brighter light, their rich burgundy colouring becomes more apparent. The petals are just as interesting as the colour: long, narrow and rolled into fine points, with the outer ones curling into an almost spidery silhouette. These generously sized cactus blooms can reach around 15–20cm across, bringing an extraordinary sense of texture to the border. Rising to around 90–120cm above fresh green foliage, Dahlia 'Black Narcissus' begins flowering in midsummer and carries on into autumn, right up until the first frosts.
For contrast, pair Dahlia 'Black Narcissus' with cream, pale apricot or soft pink dahlias, or let its dark flowers deepen a planting of purple salvias and ornamental grasses. It makes a particularly memorable cut flower, adding unusual shape and colour to arrangements. Give Dahlia 'Black Narcissus' a sunny, sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil, and support the stems to help protect those substantial blooms. Water during dry spells and remove faded flowers to encourage more buds. Start tubers under cover in spring, or plant outside once frost is no longer a risk. In colder areas, lift and store them somewhere frost-free for winter. With Dahlia 'Black Narcissus', even the darkest flowers have a way of catching the eye.
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 'Black Narcissus'
- Flower colour
- Brown, burgundy, near-black
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 1-1.2m
- 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
-30%
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Sale price
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