Sylvia Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Sylvia
• Type: Ball dahlia
• Colour: Warm orange, deeper at the centre and base of petals
• Flower size: 11cm across
• Height: 80cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Yes. Long-lasting, excellent colour in autumn arrangements
• 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

Dahlia Sylvia: Warm Orange Globes on Brown Stems

Sylvia is a ball dahlia that looks like autumn arrived early. The flowers are a warm, rich orange that deepens towards the centre and at the base of each petal, giving each bloom a glowing, layered quality. At 11cm across, they're big enough to make a statement but not so big that they overpower a mixed arrangement.

The unexpected detail is the stems. Where most dahlias have green stems, Sylvia's are deep brown, almost chocolate. Combined with the orange flowers and dark green foliage, the whole plant has a warm, autumnal palette before you've even thought about companions. It looks good from the moment it starts growing.

At 80cm tall, it's compact enough for the front-to-middle of a border or for a pot. It's a prolific flowerer, producing masses of those neat orange globes from July through to November, and the blooms cut well and last in water.

Companions for Sylvia

The warm orange places Sylvia in the autumn-tones camp. Plant alongside David Howard (burnt orange with dark bronze foliage, the same warm palette in a different flower form) and Brown Sugar (paprika-toned ball dahlia that darkens towards the centre) for a trio of warm globes at different heights. For contrast, the deep purple spikes of Ambition (semi-cactus, 100cm) set off the orange beautifully. Salvia 'Amistad' and Helenium are natural late-summer company in the same warm register.

Why Ashridge?

Our dahlia tubers are Dutch first-class quality, imported direct and hand-graded. 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, Which? Best Plant Supplier, and gardeners in Somerset on the phone if anything isn't right. Browse our other ball dahlias or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Sylvia different from other orange dahlias?

The brown stems. Most dahlias have green stems that vanish once the flowers appear. Sylvia's deep chocolate-brown stems are visible and decorative in their own right, adding to the warm colour scheme even before the first bud opens. It's a small detail that makes a big difference in the garden and in a vase.

Is Sylvia good for cutting?

Very. The 11cm ball shape is the perfect size for mixed arrangements, the stems are strong, and the warm orange holds well without fading. It pairs beautifully with darker dahlias in a vase. Only pick fully open flowers; dahlia buds won't continue opening once cut.

Will Sylvia grow in a pot?

At 80cm with a compact habit, Sylvia works well in containers. A pot of at least 25cm across with rich compost will do the job. Feed fortnightly from June and water regularly. The brown stems look particularly good against a dark-glazed pot. Our dahlias in pots guide has more.

How does a ball dahlia differ from a decorative?

Shape. Decorative dahlias have broad, flat petals that open into relaxed, ruffled flowers. Ball dahlias have petals that curl inward for most of their length and spiral into a tight, geometric globe. The visual effect is completely different. Plant them together for the best contrast: loose ruffles behind, tight spheres in front. Our dahlia classification guide explains all the types.

What happens if I forget to deadhead Sylvia?

Flowering slows down as the plant puts energy into seed instead of new buds. When you get back to it, cut all spent heads right back, give the plant a good water and liquid feed, and it'll recover within a fortnight. The season runs to November, so there's always time. Full growing advice in our dahlia growing guide.