Dahlia 'Marble Ball'

Marble Ball Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata ‘Marble Ball’) is a refined tuberous perennial distinguished by its perfectly spherical blooms in soft pink delicately marbled with white. Their flawless form and unique colouring evoke handcrafted candies, creating a striking ornamental display above dense, healthy medium green foliage. From July through October, this variety produces an abundance of blooms on sturdy plants reaching 80 to 100 cm (32 to 40 in) tall. Not hardy in Canada, this Zone 10 variety should be overwintered in a frost-free location to preserve its tubers from one season to the next.

Plant the tuber in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed, approximately 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in) deep. Choose a location in full sun with rich, loose, humus-rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil, spacing plants 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) apart. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist without allowing it to become waterlogged. Feed every two to three weeks with a fertilizer high in potassium and remove spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous bud production. Lift the tubers before the first hard frost and store them in a cool, dry, frost-free location until spring.

Marble Ball Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata ‘Marble Ball’) is an excellent choice for romantic borders, colourful garden beds, large containers, and cutting gardens. Pair it with baby's breath, cosmos, salvias, and ornamental grasses to create elegant, softly textured plantings with excellent structure. Its perfectly rounded blooms have exceptional vase life, making them ideal for refined floral arrangements throughout the growing season. When fully open, they also attract bees, butterflies, and many other pollinating insects. Regular harvesting and deadheading will encourage continuous flowering until the first frost.