Dahlia – Cornel Red

Cornel Red is a real showstopper in the garden – with its rich, deep red ball-shaped blooms and lush green foliage, it’s no wonder this dahlia is a firm favourite with both gardeners and flower lovers. It’s especially popular for cut flowers, thanks to its strong stems and long-lasting blooms. Whether you’re planting it in a garden bed or a large pot, this variety brings bold colour and elegance all summer long.

When to Plant

In South Africa, the best time to plant your dahlia tubers is after the last spring frost – usually from September onwards, depending on your region. Dahlias love the warmth, so make sure the soil has warmed up to about 15°C before planting.

What You’ll Need to Know

• Tuber Count: 1 (we guarantee at least one eye per tuber)

• Height: Grows up to 120 cm tall

• Spacing: Leave 45 cm between plants

• Sunlight: Needs full sun – at least 6 hours of sunlight daily

• Blooming Time: From midsummer until the first frost

• Staking: Yes, it’s best to support the stems as the plant grows tall and the blooms are heavy

How to Plant

1. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot – whether in a flower bed or a large container.

2. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 30 cm, and mix in compost and an all-purpose fertiliser.

3. Place the tuber in the soil with the eye or sprout facing upward.

4. Cover so that the top of the tuber sits about 8 cm below the soil surface.

5. Press the soil down gently and water well to settle it in.

Tip: If planting in a pot, make sure there are drainage holes – dahlias don’t like soggy feet!

Caring for Your Dahlia

• Watering: After your first watering at planting time, hold off until you see sprouts – then water deeply once or twice a week. Let the top few centimetres of soil dry out between waterings.

• Feeding: Use a liquid or water-soluble organic fertiliser every 3–4 weeks until March. After that, stop feeding to help the plant slow down and store energy in the tuber for next season.

• Deadheading: Snip off faded flowers just above a set of leaves to keep the blooms coming.

• Cutting Flowers: Don’t be shy to pick! Cutting flowers encourages more blooms and branching.

A Few Extra Tips

• Watch out for overwatering at the start – too much moisture before the plant sprouts can cause the tuber to rot.

• Try to keep the leaves dry when watering to help prevent disease.

• Want more dahlias next season? These plants don’t grow true from seed, so if you’d like to keep your favourites, look after the tubers and lift or divide them in the future.

Winter Care in South Africa

Good news – in most parts of the country, you don’t need to lift your dahlia tubers in winter. Just leave them in the ground, and they’ll pop up again next spring. If you’re in a particularly cold or soggy area, you might want to dig them up and store them in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Can’t Plant Right Away?

No problem! Just store your tuber in a cool, dry, dark spot until you’re ready to get it in the ground.