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
'Star Wars'
A little dahlia with a distinctly cinematic name, Dahlia 'Star Wars' brings a bright flash of colour to the front of the border. Its open, starry flowers combine golden yellow at the base of each petal with glowing orange-red towards the tips, surrounding a cheerful central disc. As the blooms open, the centre turns a brighter yellow, providing an inviting landing place for bees and butterflies. Then there's the foliage: finely divided leaves flushed with deep bronze-purple, sometimes appearing almost black. The contrast makes those small, 4–6cm flowers look especially vivid. Part of the Dark Angel collection, Dahlia 'Star Wars' forms a neat, bushy plant around 25–35cm tall, flowering with enthusiasm through summer and into autumn.
Its compact size is a gift for gardeners with more enthusiasm than space. Grow Dahlia 'Star Wars' in a generous patio pot, along a path or in groups at the front of a sunny border, where the dark leaves provide interest between flowers. Lime-green foliage, soft purple salvias and silver-leaved plants make lovely companions. Give Dahlia 'Star Wars' fertile, well-drained soil and water regularly during dry spells, particularly in containers. Removing faded flowers will encourage fresh buds, and a little liquid feed during the flowering season helps keep the display going. Unlike taller dahlias, this compact variety rarely needs staking. With colourful flowers, handsome foliage and a welcome for pollinators, Dahlia 'Star Wars' packs plenty of character into a surprisingly small space.
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 'Star Wars'
- Flower colour
- Red, yellow
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Bronze, near-black
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 5 tubers per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- 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
Wildlife 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
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