Description
Add a touch of mystery to your summer garden with the Dahlia ‘Smokey’. This unique cultivar is a showstopper, featuring fascinating semi-cactus blooms. Its petals boast a mesmerizing gradient, transitioning from a deep, velvety purple at the center to soft, misty shades of lavender and lilac at the tips. The elegant, pointed petals curl slightly outwards, giving each flower a sophisticated, textured look.
Key Features for Malta:
Long-Lasting Blooms: ‘Smokey’ is a prolific bloomer, providing a continuous display of flowers from mid-summer all the way until the first hints of autumn.
Drama in the Garden: Reaching heights of up to 80cm, it makes a perfect centerpiece for garden beds or large ornamental pots on a terrace.
Excellent Cut Flower: These blooms are not just for the garden; their strong stems and unique coloring make them a top choice for creating artistic, high-end floral arrangements at home.
Bee & Butterfly Magnet: The intricate petals provide a great landing spot for local pollinators, bringing your garden to life.
Expert Tips for Growing Dahlias in Malta: To ensure your ‘Smokey’ Dahlia thrives in our warm climate:
Sun & Shelter: Plant in a spot that gets plenty of morning sun. In Malta, providing some shelter from the strong midday heat will help the lavender colors stay vibrant and prevent them from fading.
Watering Strategy: Dahlias are thirsty plants! Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Watering in the early morning is best to prepare the plant for the day’s sun.
Deadheading is Key: To keep the plant producing new flowers, snip off the old blooms as soon as they start to wither. This tells the plant to put its energy into new buds.
Support Your Plant: Because ‘Smokey’ can grow quite tall, it’s a good idea to stake the plant early on to protect its heavy blooms from the occasional Maltese wind.
Winter Care: While our winters are mild, if you want to keep the tuber for next year, reduce watering in late autumn and allow the plant to go dormant.
Color: Deep Purple to Soft Lavender Gradient.
Bloom Time: July – October.
Height: 60 – 80 cm.
Season: Summer Bloomer.
Other Names:
Dahlia Smokey
Semi-Cactus Dahlia
Purple Lavender Dahlia
Decorative Summer Bulb
