Dahlia Stardust

Dahlia Stardust: A Pink Tuber with a Magenta-Edged Glow

Add a beautiful “pink twinkle” to your garden with the Dahlia Stardust tuber. This bushy, upright plant grows to a height of 100–110 cm with a spread of 50–60 cm. Its many hollow stems hold neat, fully-double blooms, approximately 10 cm across, well above the light-green foliage. The soft, bright-pink petals are finely edged in magenta/cerise, creating a unique “star-rimmed” glow. While the blooms appear as a near-solid pink from a distance, the darker margin is beautifully revealed up close. This elegant and compact variety is perfect for adding a splash of colour to mid-borders or for creating a stunning effect in large patio containers.

Dahlia Stardust is also an excellent cut flower, with stems lasting 7–9 days in a vase. The medium size of the blooms makes them a great filler between larger dahlias in mixed bouquets. With consistent dead-heading or harvesting, you can expect to enjoy around 80 of these star-rimmed blooms per plant throughout the long flowering season from late November through March.

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 colour splash or pastel/magenta mixes.
• Large patio containers (≥ 40 cm) for a “pink twinkle” effect.
• Long-lasting cut stems (7–9 days)—great filler between larger dahlias.

Planting & Care Guide

• Light: Full sun ≥ 4 h; erect 30% shade-cloth if temperatures exceed 40°C while plants establish.
• Soil: Deep, fertile, perfectly drained; mix 5 L of mature compost and ½ cup of crab-&-lobster shell meal per hole.
• Depth & spacing: Set tubers 10 cm deep, 45 cm apart; stake at planting.
• Water: After shoots appear, deep-soak every 3–4 days; let the top 3 cm of soil dry between irrigations.
• Feed (Fertilizing): Monthly low-nitrogen organic bloom fertiliser (~3-6-4) until late February, then stop.
• Maintenance: Pinch at 35 cm for bushier plants; dead-head or harvest promptly to expect ~80 star-rimmed blooms.