Bishop of Llandaff
A classic variety with dark foliage and bright red flowers, ideal for borders and excellent for pollinators.
When to plant Dahlias in Nottingham
Dahlia pinnata
Show-stopping tuberous perennials that provide a spectacular display of colour from mid-summer right up until the first frosts. Ranging from enormous 'dinner plate' blooms to intricate pompoms and open-centred varieties that bees adore, they are a staple of the late summer UK garden.
100 cm · Full Sun · High Water
Calibrated to Nottingham · last frost ≈ 20 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Growing guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Dahlia
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Growing dahlias from seed for bedding varieties, sown indoors in early spring for summer flowers.
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
23 Feb to 9 MarSow thinly on moist seed compost from 23rd February - 9th March. Cover lightly and keep at in the light. They take 7–14 days to come up.
02
Prick Out Seedlings
16 Mar to 23 MarOnce they have true leaves, pot them on from 16th March - 23rd March. Hold the leaves, not the stem, and keep them in good light.
03
Harden Off Plants
20 Apr to 4 MayHarden off from 20th April - 4th May over 10–14 days. Give them a little more outdoor time each day, and keep them off frost and strong wind.
04
Plant Outdoors
4 May to 18 MayPlant out after frost from 4th May - 18th May, in beds or pots. Space cm apart in full sun and water in. Use a cloche if a cold night is coming.
05
Pinch for Bushiness
25 May to 1 JunFrom 25th May - 1st June, pinch the growing tip when plants are so they make more shoots and flowers.
06
Water and Feed
1 Jun to 24 Oct every 2 weeksKeep the soil moist. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 14 days from 1st June until 24th October.
07
Deadhead Flowers
20 Jul to 31 OctTake faded blooms off from 20th July, snipping just above a leaf node so new buds follow.
Companion plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Dahlia.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Dahlia to consider
Café au Lait
Popular for weddings, with large, creamy-pink blooms that can reach up to 25cm across.
Happy Days
A compact bedding type, perfect for containers, with prolific flowering in mixed colours.
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