BAG DAH. SYLVIA

Planting Dahlia ‘Sylvia’

• Plant overview: Dahlia ‘Sylvia’ is a popular semi-cactus dahlia producing vibrant orange blooms with finely pointed petals. Compact yet eye-catching, it is ideal for borders, patio containers, and cut flower gardens, offering excellent colour and form throughout summer.

• When to plant:

  • Start tubers indoors from March to early April to give plants a head start.

  • Plant outdoors from late April to May, once all danger of frost has passed.

• Site selection:

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

  • Shelter from strong winds helps protect stems and flowers.

• Soil preparation:

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

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

  • Avoid waterlogged sites, as tubers are prone to rotting.

• Planting depth and spacing:

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

  • Space plants approximately 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 place pots in a stable, sheltered position.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.

  • Keep soil consistently moist during the growing season, especially once buds form.

  • Regular deep watering is essential during dry spells.

• Feeding:

  • Begin feeding once plants are established.

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

• Staking and support:

  • Dahlia ‘Sylvia’ produces sturdy stems but still benefits from light staking, particularly in exposed locations.

  • Insert supports early to avoid damaging tubers later.

• Pinching and disbudding:

  • Pinch out the main growing tip when plants reach 30–40cm tall to promote bushier growth and more flowering stems.

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

• Mulching and weed control:

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

  • Keep surrounding areas weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

• Pests and diseases:

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

  • Good airflow and spacing help prevent fungal problems.

Flowering, Lifting, and Winter Storage

• Flowering period:

  • Dahlia ‘Sylvia’ flowers from mid-summer until the first autumn frosts, providing months of bright colour.

  • Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming.

• Cut flower use:

  • Excellent for cutting, with strong stems and good vase life.

  • Harvest flowers early in the morning or evening when blooms are fully open.

• Deadheading:

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

  • This directs energy into producing new buds.

• After flowering:

  • Once 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 the necks.

  • 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 safer.

• Replanting:

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

Dahlia ‘Sylvia’ is a reliable and much-loved variety, rewarding good soil preparation, regular feeding, and careful winter storage with vibrant orange blooms that bring energy and warmth to summer gardens

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.
 

Click & Collect

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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