Bishop of Auckland Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Bishop of Auckland
• Type: Peony (semi-double, open centre)
• Colour: Velvety crimson with yellow stamens at the centre
• Foliage: Dark Bishop foliage
• Flower size: 10 to 15cm across
• Height: 90cm
• Spread: 90cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Yes
• Pollinators: Excellent. Open centre, recommended by BBC Gardeners' World
• 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

Bishop of Auckland: Velvety Crimson Flowers on the Famous Dark Bishop Stems

Bishop of Auckland sits between the scarlet fire of Bishop of Llandaff and the cheerful gold of Bishop of York. The flowers are a deep, velvety crimson with bright yellow stamens glowing at the centre, carried on the characteristic dark stems that run through the whole Bishop series. BBC Gardeners' World has recommended it, which is about as mainstream as a dahlia endorsement gets.

Like all the Bishops, it's a peony type with an open centre that bees can reach. The flowers are 10 to 15cm across, semi-double, with that slightly informal quality that makes peony dahlias look as if they belong in a cottage garden rather than on a show bench. At 90cm tall and 90cm wide, the plant is bushy and self-supporting. It rarely needs staking.

It flowers from July through to November and produces plenty of blooms for cutting. The dark stems look particularly good in arrangements where they're left visible rather than stripped.

Companions for Bishop of Auckland

The obvious planting is the Bishop series together: Bishop of Llandaff (scarlet), Bishop of Auckland (crimson), and Bishop of York (golden yellow), all at 90cm, dark foliage throughout, flower colour changing as you move along the border. For a scheme beyond the Bishop family, the burnt orange of David Howard (a seedling from Llandaff, same dark leaves) and the warm paprika of Brown Sugar (ball, 90cm) both work in the same warm register. Lilac asters provide a surprisingly good cool contrast against the dark tones.

Why buy from Ashridge?

Our dahlia tubers are Dutch first-class quality, imported direct and hand-graded by us. We look for and reject 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 gardeners in Somerset on the end of the phone. Browse the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bishop of Auckland differ from Bishop of Llandaff?

Bishop of Llandaff has bright scarlet flowers and an AGM dating back to 1928. Auckland's flowers are deeper, a velvety crimson that's richer and darker. Same height, same dark foliage, same open pollinator-friendly form. Llandaff is bolder and brighter. Auckland is moodier and more velvety.

Is Bishop of Auckland good for bees?

Excellent. The open, semi-double form gives pollinators clear access to the central disc. If you're creating a pollinator-friendly border, the Bishop series are some of the best dahlias you can plant. Combine with other open-centred varieties and late-flowering perennials for a bee garden that runs from July to November.

Will Bishop of Auckland grow in a pot?

At 90cm with strong stems and mid-sized flowers, it's well suited to containers. Use a pot at least 30cm across and deep with rich compost, feed fortnightly from June. It rarely needs staking even in a pot. Our container guide has more on growing dahlias in pots.

Are all the Bishop dahlias the same?

Same family, different flowers. They all share the dark foliage and open peony form, but the colours run from scarlet (Llandaff) through crimson (Auckland) to golden yellow (York). All are 90cm, all self-supporting, all good for pollinators. Plant three or four varieties together and the dark stems connect the scheme while the flower colours change.

What aftercare does Bishop of Auckland need?

Deadhead spent flowers regularly, feed fortnightly with a liquid fertiliser from June, and water in dry spells. After the first frosts, lift the tubers and store them frost-free over winter. Our dahlia growing guide covers seasonal care, and the overwintering guide explains how to store tubers.