{"product_id":"dahlia-cactus-mixed","title":"Dahlia Cactus Mixed","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDahlia variabilis 'Cactus Flowered Mix'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCactus Dahlia Mixed\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLarge, fully double blooms where every petal is rolled into a tight quill — creating a spiky, starburst effect that looks like a frozen firework exploding in your garden. 'Cactus Flowered Mix' is the architectural dahlia that brings tropical drama and exotic quill-petalled beauty in fiery hot pinks, sunny yellows, oranges and rich ruby reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIf you're bored of standard daisy shapes, the cactus dahlia is the antidote. The mix creates a riot of tropical colour, featuring hot pinks, sunny yellows, fiery oranges and deep ruby reds — every flower a starburst sculpture of quilled petals radiating from a hidden centre. Unlike dwarf bedding types, these are substantial plants reaching up to 120cm with long, sturdy stems — making them essential for adding height to borders and drama to vases. The cactus dahlia has one quietly brilliant practical advantage: \u003cstrong\u003esuperior weather resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e. The spiky, quilled petals allow rainwater to run freely off the flower rather than becoming trapped within the head, meaning blooms are far less likely to become soggy or rot during a wet British summer (a common problem with heavy \"decorative\" or \"dinnerplate\" dahlia varieties). Half-hardy perennial, typically grown as a high-performance annual from seed. Flowers July to first frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eSow indoors February to April. Surface-sow onto moist seed compost and cover with a fine layer of vermiculite. Maintain 20–25°C for rapid germination (7–14 days). When seedlings have 2–3 pairs of leaves, prick out into individual pots, handling only by the leaves. Plant out only after all risk of frost (late May or June) in full sun and deep, rich, fertile soil. \u003cstrong\u003eDahlias are hungry plants\u003c\/strong\u003e — dig in plenty of organic matter before planting and feed weekly with potash-rich (tomato) fertiliser once buds form. Space 50cm apart. Pinch out the top growing tip once the plant has developed 3–4 pairs of leaves for bushy multi-stemmed growth. Deadhead religiously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVase-life tip for dahlias\u003c\/strong\u003e: dahlia stems are hollow. To prevent wilting and drooping heads in the vase, dip the bottom 2cm of freshly cut stems in boiling water for 10 seconds before placing in cold water — a professional florist trick that significantly extends vase life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn the cutting garden as a statement single-stem cut flower — the architectural starburst form has presence that no flat-petalled daisy can match. In tropical-themed and \"exotic\" cottage borders where the hot tropical colours read as deliberate intensity. At the back of mixed borders where the 120cm height anchors the planting. In wet British summers, where the rain-resistant petal form means fewer rotted flowers than heavier dinnerplate dahlias would suffer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFor a quintessential florist-style cutting combination, pair Cactus Dahlia with Cosmos 'Purity' (silk-white saucers create the soft floating background that allows the spiky tropical colours to stand out) and Ammi majus (the soft frothy white lace fills gaps between the heavy dahlia heads). For warm-tone harmony in borders, combine with Calendula 'Neon' and the soft apricot of Cosmos 'Apricotta'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64766400627037,"sku":"DAH-CAC","price":2.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/1185\/5965\/files\/Gemini_Generated_Image_fbxgldfbxgldfbxg.png?v=1779457431","url":"https:\/\/turfstoreuk.com\/products\/dahlia-cactus-mixed","provider":"Turf Store UK ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}