City of Leiden Semi-Cactus Dahlias

Dahlia City of Leiden

If you're short of space but want a plant to make maximum impact, Dahlia City of Leiden ticks all the boxes. It only grows to 60cm with a spread of 45cm so you want a more subtle dahlia or maybe a taller variety, have a look at our full range, but if not then City of Leiden Dahlias pack a punch with their spiky, semi-cactus flowers in an astonishing magenta pink suffused with coral, making the blooms seem to glow. The flowers are 10cm-15cm across, making a tremendous show.

If that's not enough, City of Leiden has the most glorious foliage - divided and dark, flushed with bronze, a perfect foil to the flowers. It's worth growing for the leaves alone!

The many classifications of dahlias can be quite complex but City of Leiden is a semi-cactus variety, meaning it has double flowers with many long, pointed, petals which curve in on themselves, giving that spiky look.

Getting The Best From City of Leiden

City of Leiden is one of the most versatile of dahlias and a reliable performer too, even in a bad summer. As it's so compact with upright but bushy growth, it is ideal for pots on the patio and will perform well until the first frosts, as long as it is kept well watered, fed and staked (the flowers are large for the height of the plant).

This is a dahlia you can grow even in exposed areas, where taller varieties would be battered by the wind. Use City of Leiden in a sunny mixed border and clash its hot colours with other dark and variegated foliage plants, especially deep purples, oranges, reds and yellows. It looks great with herbaceous perennials such as Salvia and contrasting Heuchera, as well as the pale greys of lavender, catmint (Nepeta), Artemisia and curry plants.

The flowers are good for cutting too - make sure you gather them when they are three-quarters open, as they won't open any more in a vase.

Features

• Colour: Magenta pink with a coral glow
• Foliage: Dark with bronze accents
• Flower Size: 10cm to 15cm
• Type: Semi-cactus Dahlia
• Cutting: Yes
• Height/Spread: 60cm x 45cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Planting Months: End February to July

Did You Know...

City of Leiden is part of a dahlia series named after Dutch cities, all with dark leaves and large flowers. It was introduced in 2000.