Rubens Dahlia Collection

* * * * - Based on 19 reviews
A super-sumptuous, curvy collection of dahlias in soft natural colours, with just enough contrast between them to make the group sing. More
5 tubers 229308-5 £19.95 Delivery late February
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Due to increased levels of demand, please allow up to 3 weeks for despatch.
10 tubers 229308-10 £34.95 Delivery late February
[?]
Due to increased levels of demand, please allow up to 3 weeks for despatch.
5 x 3 litre pots 511434-5 £47.95
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A super-sumptuous, curvy collection of dahlias in soft natural colours, with just enough contrast between them to make the group sing.

This collection contains 1 or 2 tubers, or 1 x 3 litre pot each of:

Our dahlias:

  • are first class, healthy tubers – the largest and best you can buy.
  • come with full planting, spacing and cultivating instructions for beginner gardeners
  • tubers should be potted up when they arrive and be kept in a light, frost-free place until the frosts are over and then be planted into the garden.

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 Ball Group,

Larger than pompoms and have a spiral arrangement of incurved petals forming a ball-shaped flower. Click here for more information about dahlia groups.

 Decorative Group

Broad and flat petals, normally bluntly pointed, with no central disc showing. Click here for more information about dahlia groups.
Variety Belle of Barmera, Burlesca, Café au Lait, Islander, Linda's Baby, Small World
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 1-1.2m (3-4ft)
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.
Harvesting Flower production 5 months
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
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

Delivery

Bulb Delivery - Due to increased levels of demand, please allow up to 3 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.

Rubens Dahlia Collection reviews

* * * * - Average based on 19 reviews

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st August 2019 by Rebecca

Gorgeous, vibrant ‘doers’. I’d never grown dahlias before and they’ve been a joy!

* * * * *

Reviewed 15th August 2019 by Aileen

Arrived in perfect condition and growing well on my allotment.

* * * * -

Reviewed 11th August 2019 by Victoria

* * - - -

Reviewed 11th August 2019 by Andrew

sale item so didn't expect too much but only 2 of the 5 germinated, but they are great

* * - - -

Reviewed 5th August 2019 by Susan

I’ve given the Rubens Dahlia Collection 3 stars as only 3 out of the 5 tubers germinated. I started them off in pots and followed all instructions. I have planted my 3 Dahlias into the ground now and they are doing really well and seem very healthy. I've a few buds so will hopefully see some flowers very soon

* * - - -

Reviewed 5th August 2019 by Anna

Again not all have come up, but better than WM.

* * - - -

Reviewed 5th August 2019 by Lara

Planted all five in a new bed with mixed success. One (Café au Lait?) just never made an appearance. Two had their buds decimated by earwigs, one has flowered beautifully (Linda's Baby) and another is on its way to blooming. Bit disappointing as a nice collection.

* * * * *

Reviewed 1st August 2019 by Janet

All the dahlias are growing and flowering well. Very pleased

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Erica

The dahlias are fabulous. Strong healthy plants with lots of flowers. I have tied them in twice now. We hammered in big stakes and neighbours. Must have thought we were crazy. Most of them are up to the top of the stakes now. Except the singles

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Penelope

Good quality tubers and now lovely plants

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Tracy

My delivery came when expected and was securely, but more importantly not over packaged. I am absolutely delighted with my dahlia. Each plant is strong, healthy and thriving. We’ve an absolute abundance of flowers. We are keen gardeners and have decided to purchase the bulk of our next season’s purchases from Sarah Raven. I’m so delighted that I’ve chosen Christmas gift ideas from the new Sarah Raven catologue, which is an absolute pleasure to use.

* * - - -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Lee

Look better in the photos and further discounts in the year after purchasing -

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Ildiko

The tubers were on the small side, but viable, and once growth started there was no stopping them. Sarah's collections are really well thought out and put together. I love them. It is the end of July now and all five dahlias have been flowering beautifully since mid July.

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Lin

All grew. I had forgotten that I had bought two lots the previous year, all of which came up again, despite being left all winter. Bonus!

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Dawn

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Derek

Good service. And product doing well

* * * * *

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Julia

* * - - -

Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Renate

3 are doing good. 2 not. The Cafe au lait and the Bella ... are not coming.

* * - - -

Reviewed 3rd June 2019 by Natalie

Two of these failed to produce any green, the others seem to be doing okay now planted out in garden (about a foot high) but no sign of flowers yet.

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