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
'Castle Drive'
Some dahlias have a way of changing their mind about colour, and Dahlia 'Castle Drive' is a lovely example. Its fully double flowers combine pale buttery-yellow tones with delicate shades of blush pink, peach and soft lilac-pink towards the petal edges. The effect varies subtly from bloom to bloom. Each rounded flower measures around 12cm across, with short, gently incurved petals arranged in neat, overlapping layers. This is a formal decorative dahlia, although there's nothing stiff about its character. Growing to around 100–120cm, Dahlia 'Castle Drive' carries its elegant flowers above fresh green foliage from midsummer until the first frosts. It's a gentle colour combination with a surprisingly memorable presence.
Give Dahlia 'Castle Drive' a sheltered, sunny position in fertile, well-drained soil. A discreet support will help keep the blooms upright, particularly as the season progresses. Those soft, shifting shades sit beautifully beside lavender-blue salvias, smoky purple foliage and cream-coloured flowers, but Dahlia 'Castle Drive' is just as appealing in a cutting garden. Its neatly layered blooms make lovely focal flowers for hand-tied bouquets, while regular picking and deadheading encourage new buds. Start the tubers under cover in spring, or plant outside once frosts have passed. Lift and store them somewhere frost-free for winter in colder areas. With its changing colours and wonderfully composed shape, Dahlia 'Castle Drive' brings a little painterly charm to the late summer garden.
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 'Castle Drive'
- Flower colour
- Pink, salmon, peach, cream
- 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
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