Golden Sceptre Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Golden Sceptre
• Type: Ball dahlia
• Colour: Bright canary yellow with a richer golden heart
• Flower size: 10cm across
• Height: 90cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Excellent. Long-lasting, small enough for corsages and floral headdresses
• 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

Golden Sceptre: A Bright Yellow Ball Dahlia with a Richer Heart

Golden Sceptre does exactly what its name suggests. The flowers are a bright, clean canary yellow that deepens to a richer gold towards the centre, where the tightly spiralling petals catch and hold the colour. At 10cm across, each bloom is a perfectly formed sphere in a honeycomb pattern, silky-petalled and satisfying to look at.

The practical advantages are real. The flowers sit on sturdy stems that handle an average summer breeze without damage. At 90cm with a compact 50cm spread, the plant is manageable in a border or a large pot. And the blooms are long-lasting in water, small enough to work in arrangements, corsages and even floral headdresses for outdoor weddings. The dark green foliage sets off the bright yellow perfectly.

It flowers freely from July to November. Deadhead regularly and feed fortnightly, and you'll have a steady supply of those glowing yellow globes all season.

Companions for Golden Sceptre

Yellow ball dahlias need darker colour to play against. Plant Golden Sceptre in front of Dark Spirit (near-black, 90cm) for a sharp light-and-dark contrast. The deep maroon of Cornel (ball, 120cm behind) provides the same yellow-against-burgundy effect in matching ball forms. For a warm scheme, the paprika of Brown Sugar (ball, 90cm, same height) creates an autumn-toned trio of spheres. Helenium and Rudbeckia are natural late-summer company in the same golden register.

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. Browse our other ball dahlias or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Golden Sceptre good for cutting?

One of the better ball dahlias for arrangements. The 10cm flowers are the perfect bouquet size, the stems are sturdy, and the bright yellow holds without fading. The compact size also makes them suitable for corsages and floral headdresses. Only pick fully open flowers and condition stems in hot water for an hour.

Will Golden Sceptre grow in a pot?

At 90cm with a narrow spread 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. A single cane may be useful in an exposed spot but it's generally self-supporting. Our container guide covers the detail.

Does the yellow fade?

The outer petals hold their canary yellow consistently. The centre is naturally a richer, deeper gold. Unlike some pastel dahlias, Golden Sceptre doesn't lose its colour intensity as blooms age. What you see on the first day is what you get on the fifth.

How does Golden Sceptre compare to American Sun?

American Sun is a decorative type with flat, ruffled petals in a warm golden-yellow. Golden Sceptre is a ball type with tightly spiralled petals forming a geometric globe in bright canary yellow. Different shapes, different yellows, both excellent. For textural contrast in a border, plant them together.

When should I plant Golden Sceptre tubers?

Outdoors from March to July, but wait until the soil is at least 15°C (typically May). For an earlier start, pot up indoors from March and plant out after the last frost. Our starting tubers in spring guide explains the process. Full seasonal care in the dahlia growing guide.