Ambition Dahlia Tubers

Ambition: Semi-Cactus Dahlia Tubers

Ambition is a magnificent magenta-purple semi-cactus dahlia with distinctive serrated petals. Good in a mid border position with a height 100cm and spread of 60cm It looks great in groups of three planted at 75cm spacing. It produces masses of large - 15cm diameter flowers from July to November that are perfect in the garden and fantastic in a vase. Like most cactus varieties, it is more rain-resistant than average.
Browse our other Cactus Dahlias or our full range of Dahlias.

Features

• Colour: Magenta with yellow centre
• Foliage: Green
• Flower Size: 15cm
• Type: Semi-Cactus Dahlia
• Cutting: Yes
• Height/Spread: From 1m x 60cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Outdoor Planting Months: March to July

Growing Ambition Dahlias

All dahlias do best in deep rich soil with good drainage in a sunny spot. If it is windy they will need staking. They are greedy, thirsty plants so will need watering in dry spells, and they will always flower that little bit better if there is a bit of soluble food in the watering can once every couple of weeks.

It is generally more convenient to put support stakes in at planting time, rather than leaving it until there is foliage in the way.

Did You Know?

Raised by Joe Barwise (1874-1965) of Towneley Nurseries, and introduced in 1949.

If you ignore seed, Dahlias can be planted at three stages: as tubers, rooted cuttings and pot-grown plants.

Tubers can be planted at any time from March onwards. The hole should be at least double the diameter of the tuber laid out on the ground. Incorporate about 25% well rotted compost and if drainage is in any way doubtful then add plenty of horticultural grit as well. Plant one tuber per hole, leaving 60-80 cms between plants (depending on final size) and make sure the tuber is covered with 10-12 cms (4-5") of soil. This is important as it will insulate the tuber against frosts in March-May as they will take a couple of months to show.

Rooted cuttings, which are available from early April onwards, will need to be potted up and kept in a sunny and frost free place until they are ready to be planted out in mid May. Their treatment then is the same as for tubers except they are planted level with rather than 10 cms below the surrounding soil level.

Pot grown plants are not delivered until June, and are then planted out immediately in the same way as an established rooted cutting.

The more you deadhead, the more flowers you'll get.