Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff'

Description: One of the most popular varieties of Dahlia grown today.  Paeonia style flowers of scarlet but as well as that this Dahlia has wonderful bronze black foliage which good even before the flowers appear.  Compact and free flowering. Still a very worthwhile plant eventough it was introduced in the 1920s.  If planted in groups will produce excellent and effective colour throughout late summer.

Uses: Good for a mixed border, a specialist dahlia border and also for container and patio use.  

Climate/Position: Sunny position

Height/Spread: Up to 1 metre tall

Soil Requirements: Moist well drained.

Pruning: Deadheading will promote production of more flowers for continued heavy flowering display.

Special Requirements: Though traditionally Dahlias are lifted after flowering and the first frost in the autumn, in southern parts of the UK and in free draining soil then the tubers (roots) can be left in the soil for overwintering.  If lifted then dry first for a week and then store in cool dry frost free location just covered in slightly moist peat or compost.  Pot up or plant out in the spring.

Additional Interest: Named for Bishop Hughes of Llandaff (now Cardiff), Wales, in 1924.