1 tuber 229116-1 £4.50 Delivery late February
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Due to unprecedented levels of demand, please allow up to 4 weeks for despatch.
3 tubers 229116-3 £10.95 Delivery late February
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Due to unprecedented levels of demand, please allow up to 4 weeks for despatch.
1 x 3 litre pot 190513-3L £10.50
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Or buy this as part of our The Sublime Dark Dahlia Collection.

More Details

The perfect dahlia, with velvety, crimson, single flowers and dark crimson leaves. A long-standing favourite.

This can be gift wrapped in our exclusive hessian sack, with ribbon and a Sarah Raven gift card. You will be able to add this to your basket once you begin the checkout process. To add a gift message to your order, simply fill out the details at the delivery stage of the checkout.

Please note: only items which are showing ‘in stock’ can be gift wrapped.

Genus Dahlia
Group/Species Miscellaneous Group

Orchid-flowered and Peony-flowered types are classified as Miscellaneous. Also includes Double Orchid-flowered, Bishop, Mini Bishop and Star dahlias. Click here for more information about dahlia groups.
Variety Bishop of Auckland
Type Tender Perennial Tuber
Common Name Dahlia
Border Position Back, Middle
Bulb Size I
Soil Type Acid, Chalky, Fertile, Neutral
Scent Unscented
Site Full Sun
Moisture Moist but Well-drained
Height 90cm (36in)
Spacing Plant just under the soil surface, 75cm (30in) apart.
Sowing, Seeds, Planting Pot them up undercover March or early April in a generous pot (at least 2 litre) filled with multi-purpose potting compost. Place them in a light, frost-free place and keep the compost moist. Pinch out their growing tips when they have reached about 8" tall. They will have formed bushy plants by the time the frosts have ended and will be in flower by the beginning of July. If you don’t have anywhere to grow the potted tubers, you can put them straight into the ground when the frosts are nearly over, mulching them or protecting with a cloche or protective horticultural fleece if the foliage appears before the frosts are over, but this will delay flowering.
Care Tips Support with a stout stick, tie in every couple of weeks. In the south you can mulch deeply and overwinter them in the ground, alternatively, lift and overwinter your dahlias frost free undercover.
Flowering July - November
Vase Life Only pick dahlias in full flower. Recut the hollow stem ends under water to avoid airlocks.
Cooking Notes All dahlia flowers are edible. I use the petals scattered over salad and to decorate a range of puddings.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
  • Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors
  • Flowers/Harvest
Advice & Videos
History of the dahlia

First discovered by Aztec Indians and used for food and medicine, this tuber has an interesting history of cultivation.

Understanding dahlia groups

A list of the different dahlia groups, along with some classification info and an example of a variety in each group.

How to plant and grow dahlia tubers

Discover how to grow strong, healthy dahlias – how to plant, look after and overwinter them, and what to do with your bulbs when they arrive.

How to overwinter dahlia tubers

Sarah discusses the best options for overwintering dahlias – lifting or mulching.

Sublime dark dahlia flower arrangement

Sarah shows you how to make a gorgeous large arrangement of dahlias.

Planting narcissi bulbs with dahlias

Have a beautiful display of flowers in your garden from March to the first frosts with this simple planting technique.

New favourite dahlia arrangement

Sarah shows you how to make a quick arrangement of colourful dahlias.

Growing dahlias in pots

Sarah shows you her favourite dahlia varieties for pots, and gives you some tips on how to grow them successfully.

How to take dahlia cuttings

Watch and learn how to take dahlia cuttings – turn 1 tuber into 10.

How to plant up your dahlia tubers

In this video Sarah shows you how to plant up your dahlia tubers.

When To Plant Dahlias

Related Videos
Delivery

Bulb Delivery - Due to unprecedented levels of demand, please allow up to 4 weeks for despatch.

Plant Delivery - When in stock, please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery. 

Click here to find out more information about our delivery rates and times.

Dahlia 'Bishop of Auckland' reviews

* * * * * Average based on 11 reviews

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Reviewed 1st August 2019 by Kathryn

This dahlia got severely nibbled by slugs and snails at the outset, despite being a dark-leaved variety which they usually leave alone. Consequently, it has only just started to flower (early August) but is now bushy and strong with beautiful wine-red flowers.

* * * * -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by ROSALIND

Lovely dahlia a favourite

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Maura

Lovely strong plants. Well packed on their arrival. Superb blooms. Excellent value. Other than that I can't think why I've given them 5 stars !

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Ann

The plant arrived quite small and looking good. When it doubled in size I followed the instructions and cut it back quite hard, removing some shoots as advised. It is now rather a mess, some of the new shoots are very bendy and leaning horizontally. There are a few flower buds so I hope for improvement soon.

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Belinda

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by John

Excellent products and service

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Tim

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Lorraine

Arrived with damage, large part of stem broken off . Despite this it has grown. Unfortunately the slugs have now decimated it to a stem and a few leaves . If you are bothered by slugs like I am , grow in a copper wired rimmed pot .

* * - - -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Alison

This has grown but there are no flowers as yet.

Lovely but not very successful!

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Reviewed 25th September 2016 by E Brown

Bought three of these, only one is flowering, but that one is lovely and has had lots of flowers.

Best bishop for bees!

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Reviewed 4th January 2015 by Arthur Parkinson

The bumblees could not leave this bishop dahlia alone last summer. It grows tall with beautiful seaweed blacky green leaves and stems producing a profusion of single claret petal flowers with yellow orange centres. I'm planting lots more this year as the bees favoured this one out of many different bishops the most !

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