Dahlia 'Early Bird Mix' Seeds

Dahlia variabilis 'Early Bird Mix' lives up to its name beautifully. While most dahlias keep you waiting until late summer for their display, this vigorous variety races out of the blocks to produce blooms much earlier in the season.

It is a dwarf bedding variety, producing neat, bushy mounds covered in cheerful semi-double and double flowers. The colour range is a vibrant, festive mix of rich reds, bronzes, sunny yellows, and bright pinks. It is the perfect way to kickstart the dahlia season.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Early Bird'

We love this variety for containers. Because it stays relatively compact (around 60cm), it doesn't get top-heavy or flop over in the wind like the giant dinnerplate varieties. It looks spectacular massed in pots on a patio.

It is also incredibly generous. It produces tubers just like the big varieties, so although you grow it from seed this year, you can dig it up in autumn and keep it forever. It bridges the gap between spring bulbs and high summer perennials perfectly.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Half-Hardy Perennial?

Dahlia is a Half-Hardy Perennial.

This means it lives for many years but cannot survive frost. In the UK, we often treat seed-grown dahlias as annuals. However, by the end of the summer, these plants will have formed tubers underground. You can lift these tubers after the first frost, store them in a dry, frost-free shed over winter, and replant them the following spring.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Growing Dahlias from seed is surprisingly fast and easy—much cheaper than buying tubers!

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. The seeds are large and easy to handle. Sow them on the surface of moist compost and cover with a layer of vermiculite. They need warmth (20-25°C) to germinate, so a heated propagator or a warm windowsill is essential. They usually sprout within 7-10 days.

Where to Sow:
Start them in modules or small pots. Do not plant them outside until all risk of frost has passed (usually late May/June). Dahlias turn black instantly if touched by frost.

Care While Growing:
The Pinch: When the seedlings have 3 or 4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the top growing tip. This forces the plant to grow bushy and produce more flowering stems. Deadhead the spent flowers regularly to keep the show going right through to October.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if these early bloomers are the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

'Early Bird' is a compact variety, so it pairs best with other low-growing bedding plants. Here are my top pairings from the shop:

• 💜 Alyssum 'Royal Carpet': Create a stunning pot display by planting 'Early Bird' in the centre and surrounding it with the deep purple of Alyssum. The purple sets off the hot oranges and yellows of the Dahlia perfectly.
• 🌸 Cosmos 'Polka Dot Mixed': This dwarf Cosmos grows to the exact same height as the 'Early Bird' Dahlia. Mixing them together creates a lovely, bushy tapestry of daisy shapes and textures.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow indoors in spring. Flowering begins early (often June/July) and continues until the first frost.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)