CACTUS DAHLIA - PARK PRINCESS

Earlier this year I ordered several smaller variety dahlias and Park Princess is one of them. Like all my dahlias, they are planted in containers. The smaller varieties, like Park Princess, are grow in 7.5 litre pots. Because I am high on the Pennine Mountains and in an area where we have been spared hosepipes bans, at least for now (Yorkshire), I have been able to keep them well watered.   

Park Princess - a cactus dahlia

Park Princess grows to a height of about one metre, with a spread of about half a metre.  It enjoys full sun,  south or west-facing aspect, and a sheltered position.  It is unfussy about PH levels and whether it is grown in clay, loam, or a sandy soil.  Mine is grown where it gets full sun from morning until evening, is somewhat sheltered, and the growing medium is multi-purpose compost.  It hasn't needed staking which is a bonus.  

Park Princess - a cactus dahlia

My dahlias have taken a while to bloom and that is down to the strong sun and heat. Jennifer Mary Ellen, which I first grew last year, was first to bloom.  I divided last year's tuber which had grown quite big and so now I have two growing in separate pots.  I love nature's freebies!

Like other dahlias, it is not hardy at -5 to 1C (H3). When the plant blackens later this year, I will dry off the tubers and store them indoors. 

I do not grow dahlias in my borders.  Then, if they develop one of the dahlia diseases, I am not contaminating my borders' soil.