Dahlia Lilac Time

Dahlia Lilac Time: A Rare Rose-Lilac Dinner-Plate Tuber

Make a luxurious statement in your garden with the Dahlia Lilac Time tuber. This bushy, upright plant grows to a height of 90–120 cm with a spread of 45–70 cm, producing enormous, fully-double “dinner-plate” heads that are approximately 20 cm across. The blooms display a rare and beautiful rose-lilac hue that edges toward blue, and their outer petals curve slightly inward, giving them a plush, formal appearance. This dahlia is a spectacular focal point for mid-borders or large patio containers.

Dahlia Lilac Time is an exceptional cut flower variety, with stems lasting 5–7 days in water when harvested at the ideal half-open stage. Its beautiful pastel tones make it perfect for luxurious bouquets, pairing wonderfully with white roses or bronze grasses. The plant offers a long flowering season from late November through March, and with proper care, you can expect to enjoy 40–60 of these magnificent giant blooms per plant throughout the season.

Growing Calendar

• Plant tubers: mid-September (when daytime highs are ≤ 38°C).
• First blooms: late November – early December.
• Peak display: December – March.
• Cut back / rest: early May.

Best Uses

• Mid-border focal clumps or pastel-themed mixed beds.
• Large patio containers (≥ 45 cm wide, one tuber per pot).
• Luxurious winter bouquets paired with white roses or bronze grasses.

Planting & Care Guide

• Light: Full sun (≥ 4 h); provide 30% shade-cloth if temperatures exceed 40°C during establishment.
• Soil: Deep, fertile, perfectly drained. Mix 5 L of mature compost and ½ cup of crab & lobster shell meal into each hole.
• Depth & spacing: Plant tuber 10 cm deep, 45 cm apart; insert a stake now to avoid root damage later.
• Water: After shoots emerge, deep-soak every 3-4 days; allow the top 3 cm of soil to dry between irrigations.
• Feed (Fertilizing): Monthly low-nitrogen organic bloom fertiliser (~3-6-4) until February, then stop.
• Maintenance: Pinch at 35 cm for bushier plants; dead-head or harvest stems promptly to encourage 40–60 giant blooms.