Pompon Dahlias

What makes a ball dahlia special?

Long-lasting, new flowers every week

Which pompon dahlia suits your garden?

Frequently asked questions about ball dahlias

• When should you plant ball dahlia tubers?
  Plant ball dahlia tubers after the Ice Saints, in mid-May, once the risk of night frost has passed. Dahlias are sensitive to frost and can be damaged by temperatures below zero. Would you like them to flower earlier? Then start the tubers indoors in March or April, in a pot in a light, frost-free spot. After mid-May, move them outside — and they’ll flower as early as June instead of July.
• How deep should you plant ball dahlia tubers?
  Plant dahlia tubers 10 to 15 centimetres deep, with the eyes – the small protrusions on the tuber – facing upwards. Space the plants 40 to 60 centimetres apart, depending on the final height of the variety. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. In wet, heavy clay soil, there is a risk of rot; improve the soil with compost or coarse sand before planting.
• How do you encourage more and larger blooms on a ball dahlia?
  Two tips that make all the difference. Firstly: pinch out the plant when it is about 30 centimetres tall. Pinch out the growing tip just above a pair of leaves; the plant will then produce more side shoots and more flowers. Secondly: regularly remove spent flowers. As soon as a flower has wilted, cut it off. The plant will then stop channelling energy into seed production and will form new buds. The more you deadhead, the more you’ll get.
• Do you need to dig up your ball dahlia tubers in winter?
  Yes. Dahlias are not hardy and will not survive frost in the ground. Dig the tubers out of the ground after the first frost — wait until the foliage has turned black from the frost. Leave the tubers to dry for a day or two, remove any excess soil and cut the foliage back to a few centimetres. Then store them in a frost-free, dry place: in a box lined with newspaper, peat moss or sawdust in the cellar or garage. Check them a few times over the winter for rot or drying out.
• Are ball dahlias suitable as cut flowers?
  Absolutely! Ball dahlias are a favourite amongst cut-flower enthusiasts precisely because of their perfect spherical shape and excellent vase life. Cut the stems early in the morning when the flower has just fully opened, cutting at an angle and as long as possible. Place them straight into cold water. Change the water daily and trim a small section off the stem each time you change the water. This way, they will last five to ten days in the vase.