Dahlia 'Black Forest Ruby'
dahlia
Deep ruby to scarlet blooms stand out against dramatic, near-black foliage, creating a rich, velvety look that holds its colour beautifully through the heat of summer. The semi-double to double flowers glow against the dark, finely cut leaves, giving real depth and intensity to pots and planting schemes.
Compact and well branched, it reaches around 60-70cm (24-28in) tall, making it ideal for containers, bedding displays or weaving through a sunny border where you want reliable blocks of colour. Dahlia ‘Black Forest Ruby’ flowers reliably from summer right through to the first frosts, rewarding regular deadheading with even more blooms.
Best grown as a half-hardy annual and started off under cover before the last frost, it’s valued for its uniform growth and consistent performance.
Compact and well branched, it reaches around 60-70cm (24-28in) tall, making it ideal for containers, bedding displays or weaving through a sunny border where you want reliable blocks of colour. Dahlia ‘Black Forest Ruby’ flowers reliably from summer right through to the first frosts, rewarding regular deadheading with even more blooms.
Best grown as a half-hardy annual and started off under cover before the last frost, it’s valued for its uniform growth and consistent performance.
How to care for Dahlia Black Forest Ruby:
Gradually acclimatise before planting out, after all risk of frost has passed, at 12-18in (30-45cm) apart. Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy plants, and stake if needed. Water freely in dry periods. Lift and store tubers in autumn to replant, or use as a source of cuttings, in spring.
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.
Eventual height:
0.7m
Eventual spread:
0.4m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
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This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
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Humans/Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten
