Black Narcissus Dahlia Tubers

Black Narcissus: Cactus Dahlia Tubers

One of the "blackest" of the cactus dahlias, Black Narcissus puts drama in any border with its huge, spiky flowers that can reach 25cm across if you pinch out the side buds. Great in your cutting garden, but probably a bit too big for all but the largest containers
Browse our other Cactus Dahlias or our full range of Dahlias here.

Features

• Colour: Deep maroon, black
• Foliage: Dark Green
• Flower Size: 20-25cm
• Type: Cactus Dahlia
• Cutting: Yes
• Height/Spread: 1.2m x 80 cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Outdoor Planting Months: March to July

Growing Black Narcissus Dahlias

All dahlias do best in deep rich soil with good drainage in a sunny spot. If it is windy they will need staking. They are greedy, thirsty plants so will need watering in dry spells, and they will always flower that little bit better if there is a bit of soluble food in the watering can once every couple of weeks.

This is a big dahlia that, in the right conditions, can touch 150cm, and it will bush out to between 60 - 80 cm, so it needs a bit of space. Its stems are strong, but the heads can get very heavy - for example after rain - and break easily in a wind. Keep this dahlia in a sheltered spot and stake it well.

It is generally more convenient to put support stakes in at planting time, rather than leaving it until there is foliage in the way.

If you ignore seed, Dahlias can be planted at three stages: as tubers, rooted cuttings and pot-grown plants.

Tubers can be planted at any time from March onwards. The hole should be at least double the diameter of the tuber laid out on the ground. Incorporate about 25% well rotted compost and if drainage is in any way doubtful then add plenty of horticultural grit as well. Plant one tuber per hole, leaving 60-80 cms between plants (depending on final size) and make sure the tuber is covered with 10-12 cms (4-5") of soil. This is important as it will insulate the tuber against frosts in March-May as they will take a couple of months to show.

Rooted cuttings, which are available from early April onwards, will need to be potted up and kept in a sunny and frost free place until they are ready to be planted out in mid May. Their treatment then is the same as for tubers except they are planted level with rather than 10 cms below the surrounding soil level.

Pot grown plants are not delivered until June, and are then planted out immediately in the same way as an established rooted cutting.

The more you deadhead, the more flowers you'll get.

Did You Know?

This Canadian variety was bred in 1956 by a Mr Schissler.