Dahlia 'Bishop's Children' Seeds
If you love the famous 'Bishop of Llandaff' dahlia, this seed mix is its direct offspring. The star of the show isn't just the flowers—it's the leaves. 'Bishop's Children' produces stunning, deep bronze to purple-black foliage that adds instant moodiness and depth to a border.
Against this dark backdrop, the flowers glow like neon lights. They are mostly single or semi-double blooms in fiery shades of scarlet, tangerine, apricot, and rich pink. Because the flowers have open yellow centres, they are an absolute magnet for bees and butterflies, making this the perfect choice for a wildlife-friendly "hot" border.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
This is a **Half-Hardy Annual** (grown from seed).
The Tuber Bonus: Although you grow these from seed in spring, they grow incredibly fast. By autumn, each plant will have formed a small tuber underground. You can dig these up, store them in a frost-free place, and replant them next year for an even bigger display!
Selection Tip: When the seedlings emerge, you can often tell which ones will have the darkest leaves (the stems will be purple). Keep the darkest ones for the best display!
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Dahlias are satisfyingly fast growers.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Sow seeds onto moist compost and cover with vermiculite. They need warmth (20-25°C) to germinate, so a propagator or sunny windowsill is essential. Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
They demand **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. The dark foliage colour is most intense in full sun; in shade, it can turn green. Dig in plenty of organic matter before planting.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: When plants have 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the top tip to encourage a bushy habit.
Deadhead: Snip off faded flowers regularly. This stops the plant setting seed and ensures it keeps blooming right up to the first frost.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Dahlia variabilis |
| Common Name | Dahlia 'Bishop's Children' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 80cm - 90cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 45cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 45cm apart |
| Great for | 🐝 Pollinators 🖤 Dark Foliage 🔥 Hot Borders ✂️ Cut Flowers |
| Seed Count | Approx. 30 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The dark foliage is the key. Pair it with intense colours or airy textures:
- 🧡 Rudbeckia 'Marmalade': The Hot Border. The golden-orange of the Rudbeckia clashes brilliantly with the scarlet red of the Dahlia, while the dark Dahlia leaves ground the scheme.
- 💜 Verbena Bonariensis: Purple & Bronze. The tall, see-through purple stems of Verbena look incredibly sophisticated rising out of the bronze foliage of 'Bishop's Children'.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers July to first frost.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Edible Flowers
Dahlia petals are edible! 'Bishop's Children' petals are great in salads, adding a crunch and a splash of colour. Avoid the bitter centre.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This is a top-tier plant for biodiversity. Unlike double dahlias which hide their pollen, these single blooms act as an open refuelling station for bees in late summer.
- Regular price
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£2.30 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.30
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