Dahlia 'Big Red'

Sprouts an abundance of5” carmine red flowers in Summer.Featuring up to ten slender, slightly twisted petals, the flowers contrast against vivid red ‘rays’ with pronounced golden central florets. The color and curious petal shape gives this dahlia the appearance of a brightly-colored passion flower bloom. Selected from a mix bred by Dr. Keith Hammett, it grows quickly and vigorously to a healthy4-5’ tall and wideand features lightly toothed, mid-green leaves to 5”. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all adore the nectar-rich flowers. Dahlias are heavy feeders so fertilize during the bloom season especially. That and regular deadheading will lead to an extended bloom season. This hardy selection has shown itself to remainevergreen in zones 9 and higher.Tubers can be left in the ground and divided after three years or in colder zones brought indoors once dormant and kept cool and dry until next year’s planting. Give it full sun and well-drained fertile soil. Top dress with 1-2” of compost in Spring for best show.