Anemone-Flowered Dahlia 'Poodle Skirt' - 4 pieces

CHF 19.95

Anemone-Flowered Dahlia 'Poodle Skirt' - 4 pieces

Name: Anemone-Flowered Dahlia 'Poodle Skirt' - 4 pieces
Brand: Dahlia
Price: 19.95 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Dahlia 'Poodle Skirt'

CHF 19.95

Anemone flower with a wine-red, cushion-like centre
Outer petals pink to violet-pink, curving downwards
Flowers of about 10 cm across
Flowers freely from July to October
For borders, containers, wildlife gardens and the vase

'Poodle Skirt' is an anemone-flowered dahlia with character. A dense, wine-red cushion rises from the centre, surrounded by pink to violet-pink petals that curve downwards like a swirling skirt. From July to October it flowers freely and gets people talking in the border and the vase.

About this variety

Anemone-flowered dahlias have a special structure: a ring of broad petals frames a centre of many short, tubular florets. In 'Poodle Skirt' this cushion is dark wine red, and the outer petals are pink with a violet sheen. They curve markedly downwards, recalling a 1950s petticoat. The flowers reach about 10 cm and sometimes show yellowish tips.

In the garden the variety goes with robust perennials such as coneflowers, phlox, penstemon, Salvia nemorosa and catmint. In naturalistic plantings and borders it looks playful without being loud. Expect a height of about 70–90 cm and a width of 60 cm. Large containers are also suitable.

The unusual flower shape makes 'Poodle Skirt' an interesting cut flower that enhances any bouquet. As the centre opens well, bees and butterflies like to visit the flowers. With regular cutting the plant keeps flowering into October. Half-open flowers last especially long in the vase and open fully there.

Planting

Plant the tubers outdoors after the Ice Saints (mid-May). Plant them 10–15 cm deep and 40–60 cm apart. Starting them indoors from March is possible. Choose a sunny spot with moist, well-drained soil without waterlogging.

Care

Keep the soil moderately moist and water less often but thoroughly. From June feed every two to three weeks. Cut off faded flowers regularly and secure the stems to a stake if needed. After the first frost, lift the tubers and store them frost-free.

Specifications

Botanical name: Dahlia 'Poodle Skirt'
Genus: Dahlias
Class: Anemone-flowered
Supplied as: Tubers
Flower colour: Red, Pink, Purple
Flower size: 10 cm
Fragrant: No
Flowering time: July, August, September, October
Flowering season: High summer, Late summer and autumn
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Habit: Bushy, Clump-forming, Upright
Position: Sun
Suitable for: Bed, Pot and container, Bed edge and border, Wildlife garden and meadow, Cutting garden
Soil type: Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. A loose structure and good drainage matter more than a particular soil type.
Planting time: March, April, May, June
Planting depth: 4–6 inches
Spacing: 40–60 cm
Number per m²: 4
Hardiness in Switzerland: Not hardy, overwinter frost-free
Hardiness by location: Not hardy, overwinter frost-free
Hardiness zone (USDA): 8–10
Overwintering note: Not reliably hardy outdoors in Switzerland. Depending on the plant, lift tubers, bulbs or rhizomes in time or overwinter the container frost-free.
For containers: Well suited to containers
Container note: Grow in a large, stable, well-drained pot and overwinter frost-free.
Cut flower: Suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: In many parts of Switzerland it needs seasonal care or frost-free overwintering, so it does not naturalise reliably.
For bees and butterflies: Pollinator-friendly
Deer and rodent resistant: No
Edible: Not edible
RHS hardiness: H3