Dahlia 'Exotic Dwarf'
Words: Graham Rice
Until recently, the dahlias in the continuing trial at the RHS Garden at Wisley have been grown in the ground as they would be grown in the garden for border colour, for cutting or for showing. But in recent years more and more shorter dahlias suitable for containers have been developed so now, each year, appropriate varieties suitable for growing in pots are selected and their performance in containers assessed.
One of those given the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) after the latest trial was ‘Exotic Dwarf’. This is an exceptional dahlia, not least because last year it was given an AGM for its performance in the open ground and now it’s gained an AGM for use in containers. It’s clearly adaptable.
Here’s what the assessment panel said about ‘Exotic Dwarf’. 'Domed foliage with flowers held nicely above the foliage. A very good container plant and a perfect shape for containers. Has an incredible amount of flower. The very good, clear pink flowers hold their colour well. A good all-round plant for both a bed and container.'
Reaching just under 2ft/60cm in height, sometimes less depending on the conditions, with fresh green leaves held on slightly bronzed stems, the single flowers are a little under 2in/5cm across. Each of the eight or nine broad petals is bright, pale purplish-pink, fading towards white at the tips and with a bold and bright purplish red patch at the base. The eye is bright yellow.
Raised in Limmens, Holland, as long ago as 1965 by J C H Nuyens, ‘Exotic Dwarf’ was entered in the trials by Bill Gott of the well known Cumbrian dahlia-growing family.
Its rounded habit and long season of flowers make ‘Exotic Dwarf’ ideal either as a specimen in a pot – perhaps a pair could replace the traditional box spheres at the front door - or as the centrepiece in larger containers.
You can order plants of Dahlia ‘Exotic Dwarf’ from these RHS Plant Finder nurseries.