Dahlia Dalaya Meena Aruna ('Kledh18119') (Dalaya Meena Series)
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil or general-purpose compost for containers
- Rate of growth: fast
- Flowering period:July to October
- Hardiness: half hardy (may need winter protection)
A deeply dark and desirable double red flowering bedding dahlia with an almost black centre. Uniform and resilient to the unpredictability of the British summer, ‘Dalaya Meena Aruna’ is a free-flowering cultivar that benefits from attractive, dark bronze-purple leaves that show off the sumptuous long season flowers to their best, and is suitable for pots due to its compact nature. Often grown as a tender perennial or superb annual, this dahlia can be overwintered in a frost free location.
Protect under glass or in a frost-free, sheltered location until risk of frost has passed, then plant out or pot up into larger containers. While in growth, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September. 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.