Daisy Duke Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Daisy Duke
• Type: Decorative (small)
• Colour: Peachy coral-pink shading to mauve at the centre, with a bright green heart
• Flower size: 10cm across
• Height: 90cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowering: July to first frosts
• Cutting: Yes. Sturdy dark stems, excellent in mixed bouquets
• 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

Daisy Duke: A Coral Dahlia That Knows When to Stop Growing

Daisy Duke is a dahlia that doesn't overplay its hand. The flowers are a peachy coral-pink that shades to mauve towards the centre, with a bright green heart that catches the light. The colour combination is unusual enough to be interesting without being difficult to place, and the 10cm blooms are a manageable size for mixed arrangements.

At 90cm with a compact 50cm spread, it's one of the more manageable dahlias in the range. The habit is upright, the dark stems are stocky and strong, and in a sheltered spot you might get away without staking it at all. That makes it a genuine candidate for a large pot, not just a "technically possible" one. The lush green foliage fills in well around the stems.

It's a good cutter. The 10cm flowers are exactly the scale that works in a mixed bouquet alongside other autumn flowers: not so big they overwhelm, not so small they disappear. The dark stems look attractive left slightly longer in an arrangement.

What to Plant Alongside Daisy Duke

The coral-pink tones sit naturally in warm schemes. Plant with Brown Sugar (paprika ball dahlia, 90cm, same height) for a warm pairing where the different flower forms, flat decorative against tight globe, add texture. The soft apricot of Preference (heritage semi-cactus with spiky petals) provides a third texture in the same warm register. For contrast, the deep maroon of Cornel (ball, 120cm behind) anchors the scheme with darker colour. Cosmos 'Apricotta' and bronze fennel are natural seasonal companions.

Why Ashridge?

Our dahlia tubers are Dutch first-class quality, imported direct and hand-graded by us. 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 if anything isn't right. Browse our full decorative dahlia range or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Daisy Duke grow in a pot?

Better than most dahlias. At 90cm with a narrow spread and an upright habit, it's genuinely well suited to container growing. Use a pot at least 30cm across and deep with rich compost, feed fortnightly from June, and it may not even need a stake in a sheltered spot. Our dahlias in pots guide has the detail.

Is Daisy Duke good for cutting?

Very. The 10cm flowers are the ideal scale for mixed arrangements, the dark stems are sturdy, and vase life is good. It pairs particularly well with darker dahlias where the coral-pink acts as a warm lift. Only pick fully open flowers and condition stems in hot water for an hour before arranging.

Does Daisy Duke need staking?

In a sheltered spot, probably not. The upright habit and compact size mean it holds itself up well. In an exposed garden, a light cane or small ring at planting time is sensible insurance. It's one of the easier dahlias to manage.

What's the green heart in the centre of the flower?

Newly opened Daisy Duke blooms show a bright green centre before the innermost petals fully unfurl. It's a natural stage of the flower opening, not a defect. The green fades as the bloom matures and the central petals fill in. Many growers find it adds character.

When should I plant Daisy Duke tubers?

Outdoors from March to July, but the soil needs to be at least 15°C, which typically means May in most of the UK. For an earlier start, pot tubers up indoors from March. Our starting tubers in spring guide explains the process. Full seasonal care is in the dahlia growing guide.