Bishop of Leicester Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Bishop of Leicester
• Type: Peony (semi-double, open centre)
• Colour: Pale pink stripes over white, with dark Bishop foliage
• Flower size: 10 to 15cm across
• Height: 90cm
• Spread: 90cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Yes. Strong stems
• 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 Leicester: The Palest of the Bishop Dahlias

The Bishop series shares its famous dark foliage, but each variety carries a different flower colour. Bishop of Llandaff is scarlet, Auckland is velvety crimson, York is golden yellow. Bishop of Leicester is the softest of the series: pale pink stripes over a white ground, delicate and pretty against those characteristic dark stems.

It's a peony type with an open centre that bees can reach, so it earns its place in pollinator gardens as well as ornamental borders. At 90cm tall and 90cm wide, it fills its space with a bushy, self-supporting habit. It rarely needs staking. The flowers are 10 to 15cm across and produced freely from July to November.

Planting Alongside Bishop of Leicester

The pale pink-and-white flowers look best alongside other Bishops for a family planting with dark foliage running throughout. Plant with Bishop of Llandaff (scarlet) and Bishop of York (golden yellow) for a scheme that runs from pale pink through scarlet to gold, all on dark stems. For companions outside the Bishop family, the soft tones of Arbatax (white with pink edges, 90cm) echo the delicate colour.

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 gardeners in Somerset on the end of the phone. Browse the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bishop of Leicester part of the same series as Bishop of Llandaff?

Yes. All the Bishop dahlias share the dark foliage that Bishop of Llandaff made famous in 1924. Leicester is a more modern addition with softer flower colours, but the same dark-stemmed, open-centred, pollinator-friendly form runs through the whole series.

Is Bishop of Leicester good for bees?

Excellent. The open, semi-double peony form gives pollinators easy access to the central disc. It's one of the best dahlia types for wildlife gardens.

Will Bishop of Leicester grow in a pot?

Very well. At 90cm with a bushy habit and small to mid-sized flowers, it's compact enough for a large container. Use a pot at least 30cm across, feed fortnightly from June. Our container guide has the detail.

Does Bishop of Leicester need staking?

Usually not. The bushy habit and moderate flower size mean it supports itself. A light ring at planting time is sensible in exposed gardens. Full growing advice in our dahlia growing guide.