Dahlia Playa Blanca

Dahlia ‘Playa Blanca’ is a fresh, elegant variety that brings a clean, bright look to summer borders and patio pots. It produces beautiful blooms in crisp white tones, giving a calm, classic feel that pairs effortlessly with every colour scheme—perfect with pastels for a romantic look, or alongside bold reds, oranges and pinks for striking contrast. White dahlias are also brilliant for evening gardens, as the flowers seem to glow as the light fades.

Flowering generously from midsummer right through to the first frosts, ‘Playa Blanca’ is a fantastic cut flower too. The blooms are timeless in arrangements, and regular picking or deadheading will keep the plant producing more 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:
White dahlias are incredible “mixers”—use Dahlia ‘Playa Blanca’ to soften brighter colours in the border, or plant with deep purples for a really striking contrast.

Plant Details

Flowering Period:

July - October (until first frosts)

Height:
24–36" (60–90cm) (approx. depending on conditions)

Position:
Full sun

Tender Perennial:
Overwinter tubers frost-free in the UK