Checkers Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Checkers
• Type: Decorative (miniature)
• Colour: Deep burgundy-red with pure white petal tips. One of the most reliable bicolours
• Flower size: Up to 10cm across
• Height: 100cm
• Spread: 45cm
• Flowering: July to first frosts
• Cutting: Superb. Compact bicolour blooms that florists reach for
• 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

Checkers: The Bicolour Dahlia That Cut Flower Growers Swear By

Checkers is the kind of dahlia that catches your eye from across the garden and makes you walk over to look properly. The deep burgundy-red petals are tipped with pure white, sharp and clean, giving each flower a chequered effect that is consistent enough to rely on but variable enough to keep things interesting. Some blooms are more heavily white-tipped than others. A few will be almost entirely dark. But the overall effect across a plant in full flower is unmistakeable.

Cut flower grower Georgie Newberry counts Checkers among her favourites, and you can see why. At 10cm across with compact, neatly formed decorative blooms on a narrow, upright plant, it's built for cutting. The stems are strong, the flowers are the right scale for bouquets, and the bicolour pattern makes every stem a talking point. A handful of Checkers in a jam jar on the kitchen table is one of the simplest, best-looking autumn arrangements you can make.

At 100cm tall and just 45cm across, Checkers takes up very little border space. It works in a large pot, slots into the middle of a mixed border, and the compact habit means it rarely needs heavy staking.

What to Plant with Checkers

The bicolour pattern gives you flexibility. Plant Checkers alongside the pure white ball Boom Boom White to pick up the white tips, and the deep maroon Cornel to echo the burgundy. For something warmer, the soft apricot of Preference (semi-cactus) bridges between the dark and light tones. Pink Cosmos 'Candy Stripe' at the feet and white Cosmos 'Purity' behind create a cottage-garden effect. If you're growing an exotic border, try it backed by cannas or the bold leaves of Ricinus.

Why buy from Ashridge?

Our dahlia tubers are Dutch first-class quality, imported direct and hand-graded. We 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 the team in Somerset. Browse our full decorative dahlia range or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will every flower have the white tips?

Most will, but the intensity varies. Some blooms will be heavily tipped, others lightly marked. The occasional flower may revert to solid dark red. This is normal for bicolour dahlia varieties. Temperature and maturity both affect the patterning. Checkers is one of the more consistent bicolours, but no striped or tipped dahlia is identical from bloom to bloom.

Is Checkers good for cutting?

One of the best bicolour dahlias for arrangements. The compact 10cm flowers are the right scale for bouquets without dominating, the stems are strong, and the chequerboard pattern gives each stem character. Pick fully open flowers, condition in hot water for an hour. Expect five to six days in a vase.

Can I grow Checkers in a pot?

Yes. At 100cm with a narrow 45cm spread and compact flowers, it stays proportionate in a container of at least 30cm across. The bicolour blooms look particularly striking in a simple dark pot. Our container guide has the detail.

How does Checkers compare to Tartan?

Tartan is also bicolour but on a much bigger scale: 15 to 20cm dinnerplate flowers in blackcurrant and white. Checkers is compact (10cm), more manageable, and the burgundy-red with white tips gives a softer effect than Tartan's bold stripes. Tartan is the drama. Checkers is the versatile cutter.

Does Checkers need staking?

In a sheltered spot, probably not. The compact habit and moderate flower size keep it stable. In wind, a single cane is enough. Full planting and seasonal care in our dahlia growing guide.