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Bedding or Herbaceous Perennial
Clump-forming
H3 (half hardy - unheated greenhouse/mild winter)
Dark Red in Autumn or Summer
Green in Autumn or Summer
1-1.5 metres
0.5-1 metres
1-2 years
dahlia 'Witteman's Superba'
Asteraceae
Dahlia are tuberous rooted perennials with pinnately divided leaves and showy flower-heads, double in many cultivars, in summer and autumn
Small-flowered Semi-cactus dahlias have fully double flowerheads 10-15cm across, with narrow, pointed, straight or incurved ray florets broader at the base
'Witteman's Superba' grows to 1.3m in height, with deep crimson flowers 15cm in width from late summer
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Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter and general purpose fertiliser, in full sun. Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy plants and stake. Water freely in dry periods. Lift and store tubers in autumn to replant or use as a source of cuttings in spring
Propagate by softwood cuttings taken in spring from shoots from stored tubers, or divide the tubers ensuring each division has a viable bud
City/Courtyard Gardens, Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower borders and beds, Cut Flowers or Patio/Container Plants
Deadhead to prolong flowering. Cut back to near ground level in the autumn, before lifting and storing for the winter
Aphids, leaf miners, glasshouse red spider mite and slugs are common pests. Earwigs sometimes damage blooms. Capsid bug and caterpillars are occasional pests
Powdery mildews can be damaging in dry conditions. In wet weather grey moulds and other fungal rots can be a problem. Fungal rots can also damage stored tubers. A virus may cause stunting, leaf markings and distortion
© The Royal Horticultural Society 2011 / RHS Registered Charity № 222879/SC038262