Checkers Decorative Dahlias

Dahlia Checkers

If you like your flowers to have show-stopping impact, then Checkers Dahlias are for you! Although only being a metre tall, it is no shrinking violet, with rich, velvety deep burgundy-red petals, each of which are tipped with pure white. It certainly has a checkerboard effect and is highly unusual. The flowers grow up to 10cm wide and are plentiful, held above handsome shiny green, divided foliage.

If you're looking for a different style of dahlia, then why not have a look at our full range?

In Checker Dahlias are in the Decorative group with double blooms and no visible central disc. It will bloom from midsummer until the first frost when the foliage will blacken and die down. Introduced in 2001, the plant is compact and is one of the most reliable bi-colours available.

Using Checkers to best effect...

Checkers is ideal for growing in the middle of a mixed herbaceous border, and associates well with flowers like pink or white Cosmos (Purity is perfect) and toning Surfinia (Petunia) varieties. Try it as part of an exotic border, backed by big-leaved cannas, gingers or bananas. As it is a relatively compact dahlia, it can also be grown in a large pot.

Checkers dahlias also make excellent cut flowers - you may recognise them from your florist if you're keen on flower arranging. Cutting the flowers encourages the plant to produce more, so have at least one in your cutting bed.

If you want to try your hand at exhibiting, Checkers is a highly popular variety on the show bench, as it is so eye-catching and reliable, whatever the weather - much easier to grow than the huge dinner plate specimens.

Features

• Colour: Deep burgundy red and white
• Flower Size: Up to 10cm
• Type: Decorative Dahlia
• Cutting: Superb Cut Flower
• Height/Spread: 100cm x 45cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Planting Months: End February to July
  

Did you know...

The dahlia is not just a pretty flower... in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, native species are still considered one of the main ingredients in its cuisine, grown for their large, sweet potato-like tubers. But please be warned - never try to eat ornamental tubers.