Purple Gem Dahlia Tubers

Purple Gem: Cactus Dahlia Tubers

Enter a purple patch in gardening by growing the magnificent Purple Gem Dahlia! This deep purple, semi-cactus variety carries blooms 12cm across. As the flowers mature, the ends of the petals fade to lavender, adding a silvery sheen to the whole bloom. The stunning purple-shaded quilled petals are further set off by being held on burgundy stems with attractive green, divided foliage.
Browse our other Cactus Dahlias or our full range of Dahlias here.

Features

• Colour: Deep purple with lavender outer petals
• Foliage: Mid-green divided leaves
• Flower Size: 12cm
• Type: Semi-cactus Dahlia
• Cutting: Yes
• Height/Spread: 1.2m x 50cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Outdoor Planting Months: March to July

Growing Purple Gem 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 Purple Gem

It does well in beds alongside paler flowers and grasses - it looks best in groups of three or even five if you have the room. The magnificent flower heads look great when mixed with other dahlias in velvety tones of rich plum, deep red and near-black.

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?

Introduced in 1957, Purple Gem is also sometimes referred to as Kop's Purple after its Dutch breeder.