Wizard of Oz Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Wizard of Oz
• Type: Ball dahlia
• Colour: Pastel pink, fading to soft white as blooms age
• Flower size: 5 to 8cm across
• Height: 80cm
• Spread: 35cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Limited. Short stems and multiple buds suit the garden better than the vase
• 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

Wizard of Oz: A Compact Ball Dahlia That's Happier in a Pot Than Most

Most ball dahlias grow to a metre or more and need staking. Wizard of Oz stops at 80cm and stays narrow at 35cm, which makes it one of the few ball varieties that works properly in a container. You get the same beautiful form, petals curling inward in tight spirals to build those satisfying little globes, but in a plant that doesn't need a bamboo cane or a stake ring to hold itself up.

The flowers open mid-pink and fade gracefully to soft white as they age, so you'll have both fresh pink and faded cream blooms on the plant at any one time. The effect is gentle rather than loud. At 5 to 8cm across, they're smaller than most ball dahlias, closer to pompon territory, but the form is clearly ball: round, structured, geometrically neat.

There's a catch. The short stems and prolific branching habit mean Wizard of Oz isn't a great cut flower. The blooms sit close to the foliage and you won't get the long stems you need for arrangements. It's a garden dahlia, not a cutting garden dahlia, and it's very good at that job.

Where to Plant Wizard of Oz

Front of a border or in a generous pot. At 80cm it sits below taller varieties without disappearing. Plant it in front of Fairway Spur (apricot dinnerplate, 120cm) for a height contrast where the tight pink balls play against loose ruffled heads. The pastel tones work well alongside Gerrie Hoek (shell pink waterlily, a cutting favourite since 1945) or the pure white of Boom Boom White (another ball dahlia, but taller and better for cutting). In a pot, keep it simple: Wizard of Oz on its own with a trailing Heuchera at the rim.

Why buy from 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 human support from the team in Somerset. Browse our other ball dahlias or the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wizard of Oz a pompon or a ball dahlia?

Ball. The dividing line is flower size: pompon dahlias are under 5cm, ball dahlias are 5 to 15cm. Wizard of Oz sits at 5 to 8cm, right at the small end of ball territory. The form is the same: tightly spiralled petals building to a globe. If you want the same shape smaller still, Small World (white pompon, AGM holder) is worth a look. Our types of dahlias guide explains the classification system.

Can Wizard of Oz grow in a pot?

This is one of the dahlias we'd actively recommend for a pot. At 80cm with a narrow 35cm spread, it stays compact and doesn't become top-heavy. Use a pot at least 25cm across and deep, with rich compost, and feed fortnightly from June. It won't need staking in a sheltered spot. Full container advice is in our dahlias in pots guide.

Is Wizard of Oz good for cutting?

Honestly, not really. The stems are short and the plant produces masses of buds in tight clusters rather than long single stems. It's a garden display dahlia. For pink ball dahlias that cut well, Sylvia (warm orange ball, longer stems) or Wine Eyed Jill (peach and purple, 90cm) are better choices.

Does the colour fade?

Gracefully, yes. Flowers open mid-pink and gradually shift to soft white over several days. You'll have a mix of fresh and faded blooms on the plant at any one time, which gives a softer, more natural effect than a fixed colour. If you want a ball dahlia that holds a consistent colour, Golden Sceptre (bright yellow) stays true.

Does it need staking?

At 80cm with small flowers, Wizard of Oz usually supports itself perfectly well. In an exposed garden, a light cane or small ring at planting time is cheap insurance. Growing and aftercare advice is in our dahlia growing guide.