Dahlia 'Cafe au Lait Rosé' (D)

RHS Plant Profile
dahlia 'Cafe Au Lait Rosé'
Herbaceous Perennial

Fls to 220mm wide; outer and inner florets deep purplish pink 68A, with moderate purplish pink N74D at apex and pale yellow 158B at base. Stem 1.0m, greenish with brownish red or purple

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Dahlia are tuberous rooted perennials with pinnately divided leaves and showy flowerheads, double in many cultivars, in summer and autumn
Name Status
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Decorative dahlias have fully double flowerheads with flat or slightly incurved florets

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers 10-15cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, in full sun. Cut back to near ground level in mid-autumn. In mild areas, and on well-drained soils, leave the tubers in the ground and protect with a deep, organic mulch. In colder areas, or on heavy soils, lift and store the tubers and replant in late spring after all danger of frost has passed. See dahlia cultivation and our video How to plant dahlia tubers and care tips

Propagation

Propagate by basal softwood cuttings taken in spring from shoots from stored tubers, or divide clumps of tubers ensuring that each division has a viable bud

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Bedding

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, earwigs, caterpillars, slugs, glasshouse red spider mite and onion thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, dahlia mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, storage rots, leafy gall, crown gall, dahlia smut, grey moulds, fungal leaf spot, phytophthora, sclerotinia and verticillium wilts