Dahlia Honey

Dahlia ‘Honey’ is a beautifully warm, golden-toned dahlia that brings a soft glow to the summer border. Its blooms come in rich honey-yellow shades (often with buttery or amber tones), making it perfect for brightening borders, lifting mixed planting schemes and pairing with everything from deep purples and reds to soft pinks and apricots. It’s the sort of colour that looks good in any light—especially in late afternoon when the flowers seem to glow.

Flowering from midsummer right through to the first frosts, ‘Honey’ is a real workhorse dahlia. It’s also fantastic for cutting—those warm blooms make gorgeous bouquets, and regular picking/deadheading will keep the plant producing fresh flowers 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 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) apart, depending on the final size.
• 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 flowers.
• Stake taller stems if needed, especially in exposed borders.
• 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:
Yellow dahlias look incredible with purple companions. Try Dahlia ‘Honey’ with Salvias, Verbena bonariensis or dark-leaved plants for a border with real contrast and impact.