Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Dahlia Cactus Mixed
Dahlia Cactus Mixed
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Dahlia 'Cactus Mixed' Seeds
If you are bored of standard daisy shapes, the 'Cactus' dahlia is the antidote. This spectacular variety produces large, fully double blooms where every petal is rolled into a tight quill, creating a spiky, starburst effect that looks like a frozen firework.
This mix creates a riot of tropical colour, featuring hot pinks, sunny yellows, fiery oranges, and deep ruby reds. Unlike dwarf bedding types, these are substantial plants (reaching up to 1m) with long, sturdy stems, making them absolutely essential for adding height to borders and drama to your vases. They bloom tirelessly from July until the first frosts, providing months of exotic beauty.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
This is a **Half-Hardy Annual** (grown from seed).
The Tuber Bonus: Even though you sow these seeds in spring, the plants will work hard underground to form tubers. By autumn, they will have developed a decent-sized tuber which you can lift, store in a frost-free shed, and replant next year for an even bigger display!
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Dahlias are fast-growing and satisfying, but they hate the cold.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Sow seeds onto moist compost and cover with a thin layer of vermiculite. They need warmth (20-25°C) to germinate, so use a propagator or a warm windowsill. Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
They demand **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. Dig in plenty of manure before planting out. They are tall plants, so a sheltered spot is best to prevent wind damage.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: When seedlings have 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the top growing tip. This encourages side branches and more flowers.
Stake: Because the flower heads are large and heavy, it is wise to tie the stems to a bamboo cane for support.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Dahlia variabilis (Cactus Group) |
| Common Name | Dahlia 'Cactus Flowered' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 100cm - 120cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 50cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 50cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flowers 🌈 Exotic Borders 🦋 Late Summer Colour 🏙️ Architectural Interest |
| Seed Count | Approx. 40 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The spiky texture of Cactus Dahlias looks amazing with bold foliage or airy fillers:
- 🌴 Canna Lilies: The Jungle Look. Combine tall Cactus Dahlias with the broad, paddle-shaped leaves of Cannas for a hot, tropical border that sizzles in late summer.
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The Calming Influence. The giant white flowers and ferny leaves of Cosmos help to break up the intense colours of the Dahlia mix, stopping the border from looking too chaotic.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers July to first frost.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Vases Note
The stems of Cactus Dahlias are hollow. After cutting, dip the bottom inch of the stem into boiling water for 10 seconds. This "sears" the end and stops the flower drooping in the vase.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This is a high-performance variety. The 'Cactus' shape is weather-resistant; the rain runs off the spiky petals, meaning they don't turn into a soggy ball like some other double flowers.
