Dahlia Garden Wonder

Dahlia ‘Garden Wonder’ is a classic Decorative Dahlia that brings bold, confident colour to the summer garden. It produces large, vibrant red blooms with beautifully arranged petals that create a full, rounded flower—perfect for adding instant impact to borders and patio pots. The strong stems and generous flower size also make it a brilliant choice for cutting, giving you dramatic blooms for vases and arrangements all season long.

Flowering from midsummer right through to the first frosts, ‘Garden Wonder’ is a reliable performer—keep deadheading (or pick regularly) and it will keep producing fresh blooms for months

Planting Instructions

When to Plant:

Plant Dahlia tubers in spring. For the earliest flowers, start tubers in pots indoors from March to April, then plant out once the risk of frost has passed. If planting directly outside, wait until late spring when the soil has warmed.

Where to Plant:
Choose a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil. Dahlias are ideal for mixed borders, cutting gardens and patio containers. They love warmth and perform best in full sun.

How to Plant:

• Depth: Plant tubers about 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) deep, with the old stem (or growing point) facing upwards.
• Spacing: Space plants 60–75 cm (24–30 inches) apart, as large-flowered varieties benefit from good airflow.
• Soil Prep: Enrich the planting area with well-rotted compost or manure. In heavy soil, improve drainage with grit.

Watering:
Water after planting. Once shoots appear and growth is underway, keep soil evenly moist, especially in dry spells. Avoid waterlogging. Container-grown Dahlias may need watering daily in hot weather.

Aftercare Tips:

• Pinch out the growing tip once plants are around 30 cm tall to encourage bushier growth and more stems.
• Stake plants early, as large blooms can make stems top-heavy in wind and rain.
• Deadhead regularly (or cut for the vase) to keep plants flowering until autumn.
• After the first frost blackens the foliage, lift tubers and store dry and frost-free over winter, or protect in the ground with a thick mulch in milder areas.

Top Tip:
For maximum flower power, feed weekly with a high potash feed from midsummer and keep deadheading—‘Garden Wonder’ will keep producing blooms right up to the first frosts.

Plant Details

Flowering Period:

July - October (until first frosts)

Height:
36–48" (90–120cm) (approx. depending on conditions)

Position:
Full sun

Tender Perennial:
Overwinter tubers frost-free in the UK