Gerrie Hoek Dahlia Tubers

Gerrie Hoek: Waterlily Dahlia Tubers

If you want to grow an elegant classic in delicate shades, Gerrie Hoek Dahlias should be on your short-list. They are waterlily types, measuring 10-15cm in diameter and looking very like the aquatic flower. Shaded shell pink, rounded petals get paler towards the outside of the flower, complemented by light yellow hues among the heart petals, which look painted on. All of this "pops" against the contrast of its dark, strong stems and foliage.
Browse our other Waterlily Dahlias or our full range of Dahlias.

It is an early flowerer, as early as mid-June if conditions are right, an added bonus! It goes on flowering all summer and is a favourite of exhibitors in the late summer flower shows.

This is one of the taller varieties at 1.2m and those long stems, together with a long lifespan, make for an excellent cut flower, either in a vase or in a bouquet.

Features

• Colour: Shaded pale pink with yellow highlights
• Foliage: Green leaves
• Flower Size: 10-15 cm
• Type: Waterlily Dahlia
• Cutting: Yes
• Height/Spread: 120cm x 50cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Outdoor Planting Months: March to July

Growing Gerrie Hoek 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.

Planting Companions for Gerrie Hoek

It is tall for a Dahlia, so the middle of a mixed border is a natural place for it, but close enough so you can appreciate the wonderful markings on the petals.

The wonderful colouring makes it an excellent flower to tie together warm and cool shades in your borders or flower arrangements. It looks particularly good with contrasting shapes to its exotic flowers, such as Verbena bonariensis and ornamental grasses, which will provide a wonderful backdrop to let the blooms take centre stage.

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.

Did You Know?

A Dutch heirloom variety, introduced right at the end of the Second World War in 1945, it has been a top seller for generations now. It is named after a relation of the breeder.