Dahlia ‘Imperialis Tree Dahlia’

This enormous wild species dahlia can reach up to three metres in a single growing season. Sporting huge, elder-like leaves of around a metre long held on impressive stems which resemble bamboo, Dahlia ‘Imperialis’ is usually grown as a foliage plant. Its jungly appearance makes it a magnificent specimen for a tropical border.

The flowers don’t appear until October, so it requires a warm position to bloom, either in a greenhouse/conservatory or a sheltered position in mild gardens, where the flowers won’t risk being prematurely cut down by frost. If you succeed at the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with pale mauve, yellow-centred flowers which nod down on you from an intimidating height!

Height: 3m (118in). Spread: 1.5m (59in).

 

 

This enormous wild species dahlia can reach up to three metres in a single growing season. Plant Dahlia tubers outdoors in April after all risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny position in moist well drained soil. Prepare the soil by digging in plenty of well rotted manure or compost. Plant tubers at a depth of 15cm (6″) and water well. Alternatively, start tubers into growth in pots of compost in a frost free greenhouse. Transplant them into their final positions outdoors in June.