Dahlia 'Yankee Doodle Dandy Mix' Seeds
If you think Dahlias are too tall, too fussy, or too much work, 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' will change your mind. This is a spectacular dwarf "Collarette" variety, meaning each bloom features a ring of flat outer petals surrounding a frilly inner "collar" of smaller florets, often in contrasting colours.
The mix is a vibrant explosion of reds, yellows, purples, and oranges, with the inner collars adding a playful splash of white or gold. Growing to just 50cm, these plants are neat, bushy, and self-supporting, making them absolutely perfect for filling containers with drama from July right through to the first frosts.
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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 like an annual, over the summer they will actually form small tubers underground! In autumn, you can either let them die with the frost (treating them as an annual) or dig up the tubers to store for next year (treating them as a perennial).
Why Collarettes? Unlike "Ball" or "Cactus" dahlias, Collarettes have an open centre. This makes them accessible to bees and butterflies, making this the most wildlife-friendly dahlia choice.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Dahlias are incredibly satisfying to grow from seed as they grow fast.
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 thirsty and hungry plants! Dig in manure before planting or feed regularly if growing in pots.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: When the seedlings have 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the top tip. This forces the plant to bush out and produce way more flower stems.
Frost: They are terrified of frost. Do not plant out until late May or June.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Dahlia variabilis |
| Common Name | Dahlia 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 50cm - 60cm (Dwarf/Compact) |
| Spread | ↔️ 40cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | 🏺 Pots & Containers 🐝 Pollinators ✂️ Cut Flowers 🌈 Bright Bedding |
| Seed Count | Approx. 40 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The intense colours of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' look great with other heat-loving annuals:
- 🎨 Zinnia 'Lilliput Mix': The Bright Bundle. Zinnias and Dahlias are the best of friends. They both love heat, sun, and rich soil. The pom-pom shape of the Zinnia contrasts perfectly with the open face of the Dahlia.
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The Softener. The bright reds and yellows of the Dahlia mix can be intense. Planting them near white Cosmos softens the display and adds a floaty, airy height behind the bushy Dahlias.
📅 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! They have a texture ranging from crisp apple to carrot. Sprinkle the bright petals over a summer salad for a colourful garnish.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This variety is a Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winner, awarded for its outstanding garden performance, uniformity, and unique collarette flower shape.
- Regular price
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£2.20 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.20
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