Dahlia 'Indian Summer'

* * * * - Based on 14 reviews
The best spiky, brilliant-red dahlia of all varieties we've trialled and excellent as a splash of brightness amongst the crimsons. More
1 tuber 229243-1 £4.50

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3 tubers 229243-3 £10.95

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1 x 3 litre plant 229243-3L £9.95

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More Details

The best spiky, brilliant-red dahlia of all varieties we've trialled and excellent as a splash of brightness amongst the crimsons.

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 Semi-cactus Group

Fully double blooms, with very pointed petals, almost spiky in appearance. Click here for more information about dahlia groups. 
Variety Indian Summer
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 1m (3ft 3in)
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
Understanding dahlia groups

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

History of the dahlia

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

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 - When in stock, please allow up to 5 days for despatch.

Plant Delivery - Due to the current circumstances, when in stock, please allow 4 weeks for despatch. Please click here for more information regarding delivery times due to the Covid-19 situation.

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

Dahlia 'Indian Summer' reviews

* * * * - Average based on 14 reviews

* * * * *

Reviewed 25th October 2019 by David

Very nice flower good plant

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Reviewed 2nd August 2019 by Esther

Smaller tubers than last year

* * - - -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Patrick

Beautiful colour, just lack of many blooms

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Andrew

All tubers grew. Good strong plants and lots of flowers.

* * * * *

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 !

* - - - -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Ann

Nothing up yet I think this is a dud.

* - - - -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Geraldine

This has grown but is quite a weak plant. Still waiting for it to start flowering.

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Rowena

Again stunningly beautiful and always always top quality and very good pric

* * * * -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Marretje

* - - - -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Alison

There was no growth at all on this tuber and I had to throw it away.

Height of Plant

* * * * -

Reviewed 4th September 2017 by Christine Sellick

Followed the instructions on how to bring on the tuber. Planted it at the end of May. Was just going through the order I received it with to see how the plants compared. Have to say the height of this plant is all wrong! Not 3ft but at least 6ft. Obviously growing conditions suit the plant. No complaints at all.

Bright and Beautiful

* * * * *

Reviewed 19th April 2017 by N Ismail

My garden looked bright and beautiful with the Indian Summer dahlia alongside Hillcrest Royal. I had so many cut flowers too.
Thank you!!

Not very good

* * - - -

Reviewed 19th November 2014 by Alan Ford

Two problems:
- definitely orange, not red as stated;
- flower stems too tall and bent right over. Happy to stake the plant - but not the flower stems too.

Reply from the Sarah Raven Team:

"Thank you so much for your comments. How strange that yours has flowered orange, as we've not had any other reports from customers about this. Perhaps you could email info@sarahraven.com a picture of them? To help strengthen your plants, Sarah normally recommends pinching out all but 5 stems, see her guide for more info, http://www.sarahraven.com/articles/how_to_plant_and_grow_dahlia_tubers.htm, as this may help."

Posted 20th November 2014
superb autumn colour

* * * * *

Reviewed 17th November 2014 by mary dunstan

Planted in a container in my sunless London patio, this performed superbly, giving enormous fiery flowers well into November. Looked good with the nearly black 'Chat Noir'. They were rich orange, however - not the red described in the catalogue. Only wish I had room to plant many more, to add joy as the cold and darkness descends.

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