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
'Westfield Southside'
Buttery yellow with the gentlest blush of apricot and pink, Dahlia 'Westfield Southside' has a colour palette that's almost impossible to resist. Its beautifully rounded ball flowers begin in soft lemon-yellow, gradually developing delicate peach and powder-pink tones towards their centres. The petals are arranged in wonderfully precise, overlapping layers, each one curling gently inwards to create an almost perfect sphere. Look closely and you'll notice how the warmer colours gather between the petals, giving the flowers a lovely sense of depth. Measuring around 10–15cm across, the blooms have a beautifully balanced shape that looks equally appealing in the garden or a vase. Dahlia 'Westfield Southside' carries its softly coloured flowers on long, upright stems above fresh green foliage, bringing a gentle warmth to the summer border.
With its lovely pastel colouring, Dahlia 'Westfield Southside' is particularly well suited to cutting gardens, where the rounded blooms bring beautiful texture to loose, romantic bouquets. Pair it with pale pink cosmos, lavender-blue salvias and airy ornamental grasses, or combine it with creamy white dahlias for a softer arrangement. Growing to around 100–120cm, Dahlia 'Westfield Southside' appreciates a sunny, sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil, with support for its flowering stems. Water during dry spells and pick or remove faded flowers regularly to encourage fresh blooms from midsummer until the first autumn frosts. Start tubers under cover in spring or plant outside once frost has passed, lifting them for frost-free winter storage in colder UK gardens. Dahlia 'Westfield Southside' is a lovely reminder that even the gentlest colours can make a lasting impression.
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 'Westfield Southside'
- Flower colour
- Yellow, peach, pink
- Tuber size
- 1
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- 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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