Organic Dahlia 'Little Swan'™ (dark-leaved)

Organic Dark-Leaved White Dahlia

The Dahlia 'Little Swan'™ has striking dark leaves that have a blue-red glow, which pairs beautifully with the elegant white flowers. What makes the leaves even more special is their pointed shape, similar to that of an astilbe. It has medium-sized flowers, about 10 centimeters in diameter, with an open center that makes it easy for bees to reach their food. The flowers are formed by a single ring of petals that gently curve backward and bloom at a height of about half a meter. It's an excellent choice for combining with other colors and also a great cut-flower dahlia!

The 'Little Swan' produces over 20 flowers per tuber in the first year. It blooms for up to 100 days per year due to the numerous flowers that reappear when dead flowers are removed. This results in a true sea of flowers, especially late in the season when most plants have already finished blooming.

How, Where, and When to Plant Organic Dahlia Tubers?

Indoors Pre-Planting

The Dahlia 'Little Swan'™ is not frost-hardy. Therefore, the tubers can be pre-planted indoors starting in March. This gives the plants a head start, allowing them to grow and bloom earlier. The plants can be moved outside after the "ice saints" (around May 15), or earlier if the weather is favorable, but beware of night frost—then they should be brought inside at night.

Outside in the Garden

If you choose to wait to plant the dahlia tubers until after the frost, it's best to wait until May 15. After that, the tubers can be safely planted in the ground and will start blooming about 60 to 90 days later. Plant the tuber with its old flower stem from last year facing upward, about 2 to 3 centimeters below the soil, and keep a half-meter distance between each tuber. The planting time is until June.

Location

A dahlia prefers a sunny location in nutrient-rich, well-draining, preferably calcium-rich sandy soil. The Dahlia 'Little Swan' produces medium-sized flowers, so it doesn't need support.
For pot planting, a pot at least 40 centimeters wide is recommended to prevent the plant from drying out too quickly during the summer.

Pinching Dahlias

Pinching a dahlia is a technique used to stimulate growth and make the plant more compact and fuller. Dahlias are pinched when they reach a certain height, usually when they are in the active growth stage. We recommend allowing at least 2 to 4 leaf pairs to grow before pinching.

A leaf node is the point where a leaf is attached to the stem. Look for the uppermost leaf pairs on the stem. Use sharp, clean pruning shears and cut the stem just above a leaf node. Make sure to make a clean cut to avoid damaging the plant. If there are flower buds below the pinched area, you can remove them as well. This helps the plant invest more energy in developing side branches. After pinching, the dahlia will start developing side branches from the leaf axils, resulting in a more flower-rich plant.

Caring for the Dahlia 'Little Swan'

Keep the soil of the Dahlia 'Little Swan'™ always moist. Too dry soil can cause growth and blooming problems.
During blooming, remove dead flowers to encourage new blooms. If the plant is finished blooming in the fall, it’s best to let it completely die back so that no water can collect in the hollow flower stems when they are cut, preventing rot.

What to Do with Dahlias in the Fall?

Protect the tubers planted in the ground during winter with leaves against light frost. In case of severe frost, they should be stored in a frost-free, dry location. The advantage of digging them up is that the tuber can be divided each year.

Dahlias and Feeding

The dahlia is a fast-growing plant that requires plenty of nutrition. Feed the plant several times a year for optimal results.
For organic potting soil, plant food, and other soil enhancers, we recommend Bio Kultura!

Giving Back to Nature

In the fall, the remains of the dead plant can be cut off and worked into the soil as fertilizer. This way, you give back to nature and keep your compost bin empty for kitchen vegetable waste.

Propagation of Dahlia Tubers

In the fall, the tubers grow well. Do not dig them up too early for propagation. Just before the first frost is the best time. The tubers can be split immediately, but it can also be done in the spring. The advantage of splitting in the spring is that small growth tips will already be visible, making it easier to identify where the tuber should be split.

Edible

Everything from the Dahlia 'Little Swan'™ is edible. The tuber has a root-like taste, and the flower can be used to garnish a salad or in a jug of water for decoration and flavoring the water.

Origin of the Dahlia

Dahlias originally come from Mexico and have been found in European gardens since 1615. They were initially grown as tubers for consumption, but after discovering how beautiful they are as ornamental plants, they became one of the most diverse plant species in the world.

Buy Organic Dahlia 'Little Swan'™

Skal NL-BIO-01 certified: 109459

Packed individually or choose a stacking discount.

Stacking discount: B

Pre-order now, delivery from mid March!

EU shipping €8.95 - Free shipping from €100 purchase.

Characteristics

Other dahlia varieties

NL-BIO-01