Dahlia 'Blue Wish'
waterlily dahlia
As the flowers open, the purple-tipped, white petals get their ‘Blue Wish’ and mature to lilac.
This creates a very pretty effect and offers plenty of opportunities for plant combinations. Their soft colouring mixes easily with many other shades and is especially suited to bolder purples such as Salvia 'Nachtvlinder', whites such as Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies' and pinks like Echinacea purpurea and Salvia nemorosa 'Sensation Rose'.
This creates a very pretty effect and offers plenty of opportunities for plant combinations. Their soft colouring mixes easily with many other shades and is especially suited to bolder purples such as Salvia 'Nachtvlinder', whites such as Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies' and pinks like Echinacea purpurea and Salvia nemorosa 'Sensation Rose'.
How to care for Dahlia Blue Wish:
We offer this Dahlia, where available, as seeds, tubers, and ready potted plants.
Dahlia tubers can be planted outside after frost, or started off in pots under glass in late winter to early spring. Plant them horizontally approximately 12cm (5in) deep, making sure the ‘eyes’ are uppermost. Allow enough room between each tuber so the plants can grow and spread to their full size without being over-crowded.
Potted plants should be protected from frost in a well-lit location such as a frost-free greenhouse, cold porch, or cold-frame. Gradually acclimatise (harden-off) in mid-late spring before planting out into borders, protecting from late frosts with cloches or horticultural fleece.
While in growth, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September. Stake with canes or brushwood if it becomes necessary. In mild areas, leave them in situ over winter, but protect the crown with a generous layer of dry mulch.
In colder areas, carefully lift and clean the tubers once the first frosts have blackened the foliage and allow them to dry naturally indoors. Then place the dry tubers in a shallow tray, just covered with slightly moist potting compost, sand or vermiculite and store in a frost-free place until planting out again.
Dahlia tubers can be planted outside after frost, or started off in pots under glass in late winter to early spring. Plant them horizontally approximately 12cm (5in) deep, making sure the ‘eyes’ are uppermost. Allow enough room between each tuber so the plants can grow and spread to their full size without being over-crowded.
Potted plants should be protected from frost in a well-lit location such as a frost-free greenhouse, cold porch, or cold-frame. Gradually acclimatise (harden-off) in mid-late spring before planting out into borders, protecting from late frosts with cloches or horticultural fleece.
While in growth, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September. Stake with canes or brushwood if it becomes necessary. In mild areas, leave them in situ over winter, but protect the crown with a generous layer of dry mulch.
In colder areas, carefully lift and clean the tubers once the first frosts have blackened the foliage and allow them to dry naturally indoors. Then place the dry tubers in a shallow tray, just covered with slightly moist potting compost, sand or vermiculite and store in a frost-free place until planting out again.
Sowing instructions:
Sow from late winter onwards in fine, seed compost 6mm (¼in) deep. Keep in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill above 65°F (18°C) until germination, which usually takes between 7 and 10 days. Ensure soil is kept moist but not wet, and when large enough to handle, prick out and transplant to trays or individual pots, and move to cooler conditions.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1.2m
Eventual spread:
0.6m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
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Humans/Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten
