BAG DAH. CREME DE CASSIS

Planting Dahlia ‘Crème de Cassis’

• Plant overview: Dahlia ‘Crème de Cassis’ is a striking decorative dahlia, producing large, dramatic blooms with creamy outer petals and deep burgundy to purple centres. This tender perennial is grown from tubers and is ideal for borders, large containers, and cut flower gardens.

• When to plant:

  • Start tubers indoors from March to early April in pots to encourage early growth.

  • Plant outdoors from late April to May, once all risk of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed.

• Site selection:

  • Choose a sunny, sheltered position, with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

  • Protection from strong winds helps prevent damage to tall stems and heavy blooms.

• Soil preparation:

  • Dahlias prefer fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.

  • Improve planting areas with plenty of well-rotted compost or organic matter.

  • Avoid poorly drained or waterlogged sites, which can cause tuber rot.

• Planting depth and spacing:

  • Plant tubers 10–15cm deep, positioning the growing eye just below soil level.

  • Space plants 45–60cm apart to allow for bushy growth and good air circulation.

• Container planting:

  • Well suited to large, heavy containers with good drainage.

  • Use a rich, free-draining compost and ensure pots are stable to support mature plants.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water thoroughly after planting and keep soil consistently moist during the growing season.

  • During dry spells, water deeply and regularly, especially once buds start to form.

• Feeding:

  • Begin feeding once plants are well established.

  • Apply a high-potassium liquid fertiliser every 10–14 days to promote strong growth and abundant flowering.

• Staking and support:

  • Dahlia ‘Crème de Cassis’ produces large blooms and requires sturdy support.

  • Insert canes or plant supports at planting time to avoid disturbing tubers later.

• Pinching and disbudding:

  • Pinch out the main growing tip when plants reach 30–40cm tall to encourage bushier plants.

  • For fewer but larger flowers, remove some side buds and allow selected blooms to develop fully.

• Mulching and weed control:

  • Mulch around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil condition.

  • Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

• Pests and diseases:

  • Watch for slugs, snails, aphids, and earwigs, which can damage young shoots and flowers.

  • Good spacing and airflow help reduce fungal diseases such as mildew.

Flowering, Lifting, and Winter Storage

• Flowering period:

  • Dahlia ‘Crème de Cassis’ flowers from mid-summer until the first autumn frosts.

  • Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.

• Cut flower use:

  • Excellent for cutting.

  • Harvest flowers early in the morning or evening when blooms are fully open for best vase life.

• Deadheading:

  • Remove faded flowers promptly by cutting back to a healthy pair of leaves.

  • This redirects energy into producing new flower buds.

• After flowering:

  • Once the first frost blackens the foliage, cut stems back to 10–15cm.

  • Leave tubers in the ground for a few days to allow skins to toughen before lifting.

• Lifting tubers:

  • Carefully lift tubers with a fork, taking care not to damage them.

  • Shake off excess soil and allow tubers to dry in a frost-free, well-ventilated place.

• Winter storage:

  • Store tubers in trays or boxes filled with dry compost, sand, or peat-free material.

  • Keep in a cool, dark, frost-free environment throughout winter.

• Overwintering in mild areas:

  • In very mild, free-draining soils, tubers may survive outdoors with a thick mulch, though lifting is the safest option.

• Replanting:

  • Replant stored tubers the following spring once frost risk has passed.

Dahlia ‘Crème de Cassis’ is a bold and elegant variety that rewards good soil preparation, regular feeding, and careful winter storage with months of dramatic, high-impact summer colour

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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