Large-Flowered Dahlia 'Happy Butterfly’ - Tuber

Plant your dahlia tubers in the spring in flower pots, planters or along a border. ‘Happy Butterfly’ dahlias are sensitive to frost, so plant them after the frost period. A good time to plant them in the ground would be between late April and mid-May. Prepare a suitable hole, loosen the soil well and fill the hole with fertile soil. Place the ‘Happy Butterfly’ tubers carefully into the hole, spaced about 50 cm apart, cover them with 3-5 cm of soil. Press the soil gently and water immediately. Dahlias will bloom best in complete sunshine.

Dahlia 'Happy Butterfly’ is a favourite for many gardeners. The flowers are real eye-catchers and because of their height they are ideal for planting at the back of the border.

If you want your plants to flower earlier you can 'withdraw' them. Place the ‘Happy Butterfly’ dahlia tubers in a shallow tray in moist compost at 15-20˚ C during the month of April. When shoots begin to appear, place them in potting soil. By the beginning of May, they will gradually get used to the outdoor temperature and you can plant them from mid-May onwards in either your garden or in a pot.

Dahlia 'Happy Butterfly' provides excellent cut flowers that last a long time in a vase. The best time to cut dahlias is early in the day. Put the stems directly into a large vase of lukewarm water along with cut flower food.

Fertilize your dahlia ‘Happy Butterfly’ on a monthly basis throughout the flowering period until the first frost. Deadhead the faded flowers to prolong the flowering period. Prevent the soil from drying out during dry periods. As these dahlias are fairly tall it is sometimes necessary to support their stems.

Dahlia tubers can easily be overwintered. If you want to do this, dig up the plants after the first night frost. Then cut all stems off 15 cm above the tuber. Attach a label with the name of the dahlia to remind yourself for the next year. Shake the soil from the dahlia tubers and place in a box with compost or sharp sand. Store the dahlia tubers in a frost free area such as a garden shed or greenhouse. Next spring you can plant the dahlia tubers again and they will reward you with their wonderful flowers!