Our Favourite Dahlias Grown From Seed

Why Grow Dahlias from Seed? Beautiful, Easy and Rewarding 

We like to grow single and semi-double varieties from seed sown in spring. Not too difficult to grow, we find these types bloom beautifully throughout the summer and into autumn to benefit many pollinators as well as providing a range of cut flowers.

The more exotic dahlia varieties, because of their complex flowers do not attract pollinators.

We have discovered that is very cost effective or affordable to grow a number of plants from seed, each with unique characteristics. Tubers are more expensive and require winter storage if you wish to keep them year on year. 

Our favourite Dahlias from seed

The most popular is Bishop's Children giving a variety of colours of single blooms.

Coltness Mixed is another reliable mixture of single blooms. 

 

Figaro (white or red ) are semi-double and Early Bird a dwarf form.

 

If you would like more exotic forms, these can also be grown from seed such as cactus hybrids, doubles or pompom. The choice is yours buy-dahlia-seeds

Will Dahlias from seed flower the first year?

Admittedly growing from seed is unpredictable and, unless started off early indoors in the warm, later into flowering.  Tubers are often more vigorous to give you known results, as an exact replica or clone of the parent plant. 

Do Dahlias from seed produce tubers?

Yes each plant will form tubers which you can dig up and store in a frost free place overwinter to replant next year. Originally from central America they are sensitive to the cold and need sunshine to thrive.

Or you can save the seed from your favourites to grow yourself next year. Surprise yourself with new and and diverse colours and forms.

 How to grow Dahlias from seed in the spring

We have put together some easy instructions on growing dahlias from seed, see here how-to-grow-dahlias-from-seed (step by step guide)

Go look NOW to see the ones you like

Dahlias come in many shapes and sizes from dwarf or compact to tree dahlias. Flowers range from perfect spheres of pompom to double saucer like waterlily. There are several shows if you want to go look. Here a few suggestions, but there will be others near you.

From 2-7 September RHS Garden Wisley Flower show - "A Celebration of Dahlias at Wisley Flower Show". The National Dahlia Society has a marquee full of plants.

Barnsdale Gardens Dahlia Festival 8 -21 September

National Dahlia Society -2025 National Northern Show at Newby Hall 19-21 September

 PS. Did you know Dahlias are edible too!