Dahlia – Festival

A playful and cheerful dahlia with semi-double, soft pink to lilac blooms and golden-yellow centres, ‘Festival’ is a reliable mid-sized variety that bursts with colour throughout summer and autumn. Its strong stems and open blooms also make it a favourite among pollinators and gardeners alike.

Tuber Count: 2
Plant Height: 70–90 cm
Bloom Size: 8–10 cm
Flower Type: Semi-double
Growth Habit: Upright and tidy
Light Requirement: Full sun
Blooming Season: Mid to late summer through autumn
Spacing: 35–50 cm apart
Staking: Usually not required, but optional in windy areas

🌱 Growing Tips

🕰️ Planting Time:
Spring (August–October), after frost danger has passed and soil is warming.

📍 Position:
Sunny, protected location with at least 6 hours of direct light per day. Ideal for mixed flower beds, borders, or medium-sized containers.

🌾 Soil:
Fertile, well-draining garden soil enriched with compost or potting mix. Prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

💧 Watering:
Keep the soil evenly moist. Avoid soggy conditions, and do not water from above to prevent fungal problems.

🍽️ Feeding:
Apply a liquid or slow-release fertiliser rich in potassium (like 3:1:5 or 5:10:10) every 2–3 weeks during the blooming season.

✂️ Care & Maintenance:
Deadhead faded flowers to promote continued blooming. Pinch young plants to encourage bushiness. Cut back after flowering or lift tubers if you’re in a frost-prone area.

🛏️ Overwintering:
In mild climates, mulch and leave tubers in the ground. In cold areas, lift and store tubers in a dry, frost-free place.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

• Softly coloured blooms with a sunny centre

• Consistent performer for beds and containers

• Long-lasting flowers with excellent garden appeal

• Pollinator-friendly—great for bees and butterflies

• Easy-growing and low-maintenance