Beatrice Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Beatrice
• Type: Ball dahlia
• Colour: Lavender-pink with warm peachy undertones, shifting through the season
• Flower size: 8 to 10cm across
• Height: 90 to 110cm
• Spread: 60cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Yes. Strong stems, good vase life
• RHS AGM: No
• Sold as: Single tubers, hand-graded, Dutch first-class quality
• Plant outdoors: March to July, when soil reaches 15°C (typically May in most of the UK)
• Delivered: From March. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Dahlia Beatrice: A Ball Dahlia Whose Colour Depends on the Season

Beatrice is one of those dahlias where the colour description never quite does the real thing justice. On paper, it's often listed as lavender or lilac. In the garden, you'll notice warm peachy-pink undertones threading through each petal, shifting depending on the light and the maturity of the bloom. Early in the season, the flowers open with more pink warmth. As autumn approaches and temperatures drop, the lavender deepens and becomes more prominent.

The ball form is classic: tightly packed inward-curving petals forming a near-spherical shape, 8 to 10cm across. At 90 to 110cm tall depending on conditions, it's a mid-border plant that benefits from staking. Get your supports in at planting time. Trying to stake a fully grown dahlia without snapping stems is an exercise in frustration.

Stems are strong enough for cutting, and the shifting colour makes each bloom slightly different in a vase arrangement. It flowers from mid-July to the first frosts.

Where to Plant Beatrice

The warm lavender-pink works in both warm and cool schemes. Plant alongside Preference (soft apricot semi-cactus, 120cm) for a warm pairing where both colours shift through the season. For a purple scheme, Rocco (fuchsia pompon, 75cm in front) picks up the lavender tones at a smaller scale. White Onesta (white with green centres) provides a calming neutral alongside.

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 other ball dahlias or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Beatrice's colour really change through the season?

Noticeably. Early flowers lean towards warm peachy-pink. As nights cool into autumn, the lavender-purple deepens. You'll have a range of tones on the plant at any one time, which makes it more interesting than a fixed-colour variety.

Is Beatrice good for cutting?

The 8 to 10cm ball form is the ideal size for bouquets, the stems are strong, and the shifting colour means each stem is slightly different. Cut only fully open flowers, early in the morning. Condition stems in hot water for an hour.

Will Beatrice grow in a pot?

At 90 to 110cm it's on the tall side for a container. A large pot (at least 35cm) with staking and regular feeding will work, but it's happier in a border. Our container guide covers the options.

When should I plant Beatrice tubers?

Outdoors from late April to May once frost risk has passed. For a head start, pot up indoors from March. Our starting tubers guide explains the process. Full growing advice in the dahlia growing guide.