Rocco Dahlia Tubers

Rocco: Pom Pom Dahlia Tubers

Rocco Dahlias have been winning hearts for decades, and it's no wonder! This little character has almost perfectly spherical, small pompom made up of layers of silky, inwardly curved petals. The symmetry of their shape is complemented by the intense colour.
Browse our other Pom Pom Dahlias or our full range of Dahlias here.

As with many dahlias with complex colouring, the blooms have been described variously as fuchsia, magenta, beetroot, purple, lilac, reddish-purple and burgundy. Whichever description you think best, the flowers start the season off at the more purple end of the spectrum, lightening towards fuchsia as the days shorten.

Each pompom is only 5cm across, and they are produced in profusion. The purple-flushed sturdy stems are good for windier gardens, and it's a delight to see their little heads bobbing in the breeze.

Like most dahlias, it makes an excellent cut flower for vases and arrangements, and its small size means it is great for table vases where space is tight.

Features

• Colour: Vibrant fuchsia pink/purple
• Foliage: Dark green divided leaves
• Flower Size: 5cm
• Type: Pompom Dahlia
• Cutting: Yes
• Height/Spread: 75cm x 50cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Outdoor Planting Months: March to July

Growing Rocco 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.

In sheltered locations, they probably won't need staking.

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 Rocco

Although a cottage garden classic, it fits in well with contemporary planting schemes too, thanks to its architectural flower form.

The wonderfully vibrant colour means they mix well with pale pinks, purples and pastels, as well as hues from the hotter end of the spectrum.

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?

Rocco is an old Dutch favourite, first introduced in 1962, so it has had nearly 60 years of approval by gardeners all over the world!