Dahlia Happy Single Date (‘HS Date’) (PBR) (Happy Single Series) | 1 Tuber

An orange flowering, bronze-leaved, Single-Flowering group dahlia tuber. Position: full sun Soil: fertile, humus-rich soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Hardiness: half hardy (will need winter protection) Pale orange ray florets with a blush of darker orange-red at their base, form an orange-red ring around the dark brown and golden centres of this dahlia. With handsome bronze-freen foliage, and a compact habit, ‘Happy Single Date’ looks great alone in a patio pot or when combined with long interest ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum, and late summer glamour such as Achillea ‘Terracotta’. Garden care: Dahlia tubers can be planted outside after frost, or started off in pots under glass in late winter to early spring. Plant them horizontally approximately 12cm deep, making sure the ‘eyes’ are uppermost. Allow enough room between each tuber so the plants can grow and spread to their full size without being overcrowded. While in growth, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September. Stake with canes or brushwood if it becomes necessary. In mild areas, leave them in situ over winter, but protect the crown with a generous layer of dry mulch. In colder areas, carefully lift and clean the tubers once the first frosts have blackened the foliage and allow them to dry naturally indoors. Then place the dry tubers in a shallow tray, just covered with slightly moist potting compost, sand or vermiculite and store in a frost-free place until planting out again.