Dahlia 'Early Bird Mix' Seeds
If you can't wait until late summer for your dahlia fix, 'Early Bird' is the answer. This special variety has been bred for speed, producing its first flush of colourful blooms weeks ahead of standard types—often as early as late June or the start of July.
The plants are compact and bushy (around 60cm), producing a vibrant mix of semi-double and double flowers in rich shades of red, violet, yellow, orange, and bronze. Because they are short and sturdy, they don't need staking, making them the ultimate low-maintenance choice for filling patio pots and window boxes with long-lasting colour.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
This is a **Half-Hardy Annual** (grown from seed).
The Tuber Secret: Even though you sow these seeds in spring, the plants will form small tubers underground during the summer. In autumn, you can dig these tubers up, store them in a frost-free place, and replant them next year to get even bigger plants!
Top Tip: This variety is a "cut-and-come-again" flower. The more you deadhead the old blooms, the more new buds it will produce right up until the first frost.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Dahlias are incredibly satisfying to grow from seed.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Sow seeds onto moist compost and cover with a thin layer of vermiculite. They need warmth (20-25°C) to germinate, so a propagator or warm windowsill is best. Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
They demand **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. They are hungry and thirsty plants! Dig in plenty of manure before planting out, or feed weekly with liquid tomato feed if growing in pots.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: When the seedlings have 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the top growing tip. This forces the plant to bush out and produce multiple flowering stems instead of just one.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Dahlia variabilis |
| Common Name | Dahlia 'Early Bird Mix' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 50cm - 60cm (Dwarf) |
| Spread | ↔️ 40cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | 🏺 Containers ⚡ Early Colour 🐝 Pollinators ✂️ Posies |
| Seed Count | Approx. 40 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Because 'Early Bird' blooms so soon, pair it with other early-summer flowers:
- 💙 Salvia 'Victoria Blue': The Contrast. The deep indigo spikes of the Salvia provide a cool, vertical contrast to the hot, rounded flowers of the Dahlia. They both love sun and flower at the same time.
- 🌿 Cineraria 'Silver Dust': The Foliage Foil. The silver-white leaves of Cineraria make the rich jewel tones of the Dahlia mix pop. It’s a classic Victorian bedding combination.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers late June 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! They have a crisp texture and a flavour ranging from carrot to green apple. Sprinkle the petals over summer salads for an explosion of colour.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
The semi-double and single flowers in this mix are great for pollinators. Unlike full "ball" dahlias, the open centres of 'Early Bird' allow bees easy access to the pollen.
- 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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