Arbatax Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Arbatax
• Type: Decorative (small)
• Colour: White petals edged with lilac-pink — the pink deepens as each flower ages
• Flower size: 10–12cm (4–5in) across
• Height: 90cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowering: July to first frosts
• Cutting: Excellent — ideal size for mixed arrangements, long vase life
• RHS AGM: No
• Sold as: Single tubers, hand-graded, Dutch first-class quality
• Plant outdoors: March–July, when soil reaches 15°C (typically May in most of the UK)
• Delivered: From March

Arbatax Dahlias - Built for the Cutting Garden

Arbatax is the beautiful dahlia with the awful name. Plant it when you want something that blends rather than dominates. The flowers are white with a fine lilac-pink edging on each petal — not painted on in broad strokes like Cafe au Lait Twist, but delicately lined, almost as if someone ran a watercolour brush along the margins. As the blooms age, the pink deepens and spreads inwards, so the overall effect across a plant shifts gently from almost-white newly opened flowers to warmer, pinker older ones. It's what makes it sucha goodcut flower.

The blooms are small by decorative dahlia standards — 10 to 12cm across — which is exactly the size that works best in a mixed arrangement. The larger varieties can overwhelm a vase; Arbatax slots in alongside cosmos, zinnias, sweet peas and snapdragons without trying to take over. The plant is compact and bushy at 90cm, rarely needs more than a light support, and produces flowers freely from July right through to the frosts. Cut them once fully open (buds won't continue opening in water), ideally in the early morning, and condition in hot water for an hour before arranging.

Planting Companions

Arbatax belongs in a cottage-garden border or a dedicated cutting patch. Partner it with soft pinks and whites: cosmos 'Purity' or 'Candy Stripe', white or blush sweet peas, and pale zinnias all flower at the same time and cut to the same kind of loose, generous bouquet. In the border, try it with roses in similar tones, low Heuchera at the front, and the airy stems of Verbena bonariensis threading through behind. For darker contrast, David Howard (burnt orange, dark bronze foliage) at the same height makes a rich companion.

Why Ashridge?

Our dahlia tubers are Dutch first-class quality, imported direct and hand-graded — we discard undersized tubers so you get a clump with viable eyes, ready to grow. Delivered by next-day courier from March, with our one-year plant guarantee, Feefo Platinum Service Award, and human support from the team in Somerset. Browse our full decorative dahlia range or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arbatax good for cutting?

It's one of the best. The 10–12cm flower size is easier to use in mixed arrangements than dinnerplate varieties, the stems are sturdy, and vase life is long. One important detail: dahlia buds don't continue opening after cutting, so pick flowers that are already fully open. Cut in the early morning when stems are full of water, and condition by standing the fresh-cut ends in a few centimetres of near-boiling water for an hour before arranging.

Will the colour change?

Yes, gently. Newly opened flowers are mostly white with a fine lilac-pink edge. As each bloom ages over several days, the pink deepens and spreads. You'll have a mixture of almost-white and warmer-pink flowers on the plant at any one time, which gives a softer, more natural look than a fixed, uniform colour.

Does it need staking?

Usually only light support. At 90cm with small flowers, Arbatax is much less top-heavy than taller dinnerplate varieties. A single bamboo cane or a low support ring is normally enough. If your site is sheltered, it may not need staking at all.

Will it grow in a pot?

Yes — the compact habit makes Arbatax a good container choice. Use a pot at least 30cm across and deep, with rich compost and regular liquid feeding from June onwards. It won't grow as large as in open ground, but you'll still get plenty of flowers. See our growing dahlias in pots guide for full advice.

How does it compare to the Cafe au Lait dahlias?

Completely different scale. The Cafe au Lait family produces dinnerplate flowers up to 25cm across on plants over a metre tall — statement dahlias that need serious staking. Arbatax is a smaller, more compact plant with 10–12cm blooms that blend into mixed plantings and arrangements. If you want drama and scale, go Cafe au Lait. If you want a versatile cutter that plays well with other flowers, Arbatax is the better choice.

When should I plant, and how deep?

Plant tubers from March onwards, but wait until the soil reaches about 15°C — typically May in most of the UK. Cover the tuber with 10–12cm of soil. If your tubers arrive before the ground is warm enough, pot them up temporarily and keep them frost-free. Full planting and aftercare advice is in our dahlia growing guide.

Do I need to lift the tubers in winter?

In colder or wetter parts of the UK, lifting after the first frost is safest. In milder areas with well-drained soil, a thick mulch of straw or dry leaves over the crown will usually see them through. See our overwinter storage guide for the full method.