Sale
Sold out
Bulb
Asteraceae
Dahlia 'Topmix Purple' (Dahlia)
Dahlia pinnata
Topmix Purple produces single, open, 5 cm (2 in.) purple-brown flowers with purple-red tips on an upright 35 cm (14 in.) clump. Van Noort No1 tubers should be planted 10 cm (4 in.) deep in full sun in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Install supports early, pinch back shoots, water deeply at the base, and remove spent blooms until frost. This single cultivar is suitable for beds, large pots, and bouquets. In Quebec, lift tubers in fall and store them in a cool, dry, and frost-free place. Its dark purple florets enrich every arrangement. It blooms generously from July until the first frosts.
- Quantity
- 1 tuber
- Exposure
- Sun
- Life cycle
- Hardy perennial
- Hardiness
- Zone 10
Discover the plant
Common nameDahlia 'Topmix Purple'
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusDahlia
TypeBulb
Botanical nameDahlia pinnata
Reproducible seedsYes
Dahlia ‘Topmix Purple’ (Dahlia). Dahlia 'Topmix Purple' (Dahlia) The dahlia 'Topmix Purple' forms a compact, bushy clump 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) tall and about 30 cm (12 in) wide. Its small, simple flowers, about 5 cm (2 in) wide, have brown-purple florets tipped with purplish-purple around a wide-open yellow-orange disc. This dark and bright combination stands out distinctly above the green foliage. Registered as a dwarf single border dahlia, this cultivar renews its flowers from June until the first frost. Its low habit is suitable for the front of beds, rock gardens, planters, and patio pots.
Unlike very double dahlias, its accessible heart directly offers pollen and nectar to visiting bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. Plant the No. 1 tuber after the last frost, when the soil has warmed up. Lay it 10 cm (4 in) deep, bud facing upwards, in fertile, humus-rich, loose, and freely draining soil. Allow 30 cm (12 in) around the crown and choose full sun. Water sparingly before sprouting, then deeply at the base when the surface is dry. Pinch the young shoot once well established to densify the clump. Incorporate mature compost and fertilize moderately, with more potassium as buds appear.
In containers, use 12 to 15 L of aerated potting soil, several drainage holes, and an always-emptied saucer. The compact habit rarely requires staking, except in a very windy location. Repeat 'Topmix Purple' along a path or group three pots to create a purple ribbon punctuated with golden discs. Combine it with white alyssum, blue salvias, compact grasses, and silver foliage. Regularly remove faded flower heads, but leave some open flowers long enough to feed pollinators. Monitor for slugs, aphids, and spider mites, avoid wetting the foliage in the evening, and maintain generous air circulation. In a pot, turn the plant weekly to maintain a balanced habit.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
10 cm (4 in)
Sowing period
Spring
Propagation
Division of tubers each bearing a viable bud
Growing method
After the last frost, loosen a sunny area to 12 inches (30 cm) and incorporate mature compost. Place the tuber horizontally 4 inches (10 cm) deep, bud side up, then keep 12 inches (30 cm) around the crown clear. Backfill without compacting and only water if the soil becomes dry before emergence. Pinch the shoot 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) above a pair of leaves. Immediately install a sturdy stake. When growth accelerates, water deeply at the base and fertilize sparingly, favoring potassium for the buds. Tie the stems with soft ties, harvest flowers when almost open, and remove faded flower heads. After the frost, cut back the stems, lift the tuber, let its surface dry, and store it in a cool, dry, frost-free place. The contrasting purplish-brown with purplish tips remains sharper when the plant receives at least six hours of direct sun and regular feeding without excess nitrogen. An early-installed stake supports the 2-inch (5 cm) flower heads after rain without compressing the stems or damaging active roots. Remove faded flowers before seed formation so that the clump directs its energy towards new buds until the first frost.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
5 °C (41 °F)
Care level
Easy
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist without overwatering. Reduce watering before autumn tuber lifting. Water sparingly before emergence, then deeply at the base when the surface dries. When grown in a container, use 12 to 15 L of aerated potting mix, ensure several drainage holes, and always empty the saucer. In Quebec, lift the tuber after the first frost, allow its surface to dry, and store it in the dark, in a cool, dry, and frost-free place until the following spring.
Soil type
Favor a humus-rich soil that retains moisture while allowing excess water to drain away. Check drainage after rain: water should be able to leave the root zone. Work the soil when it is dry enough to avoid compacting it. Adapt amendments to its actual texture. For container planting, use an appropriate potting mix and a pot with drainage holes. Keep these openings clear and avoid any accumulation of water in the saucer.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting. At the start, use a balanced formula low to moderate in nitrogen; then, prioritize more potassium when buds appear. Follow the indicated dosage and water afterward. Too much nitrogen produces tender stems and fewer flowers. The purple-brown contrast with reddish-purple tips remains sharper when the plant receives at least six hours of direct sun and regular feeding without excess nitrogen.
Seasonal care
In the spring, inspect the tuber, remove only the rotten tissue, and plant after the last frost in warmed soil. Install support immediately. Until emergence, avoid repeated watering. In early summer, pinch the shoot at 20 or 30 cm (8 to 12 in.), tie up new stems, and keep the soil moist without saturation. Once buds appear, fertilize moderately with more potassium. In summer, water deeply at the base during dry periods, harvest flowers when almost open, and continuously remove spent flower heads. Watch for slugs, aphids, earwigs, spider mites, and gray mold. After the first frost, cut the stems, carefully lift the tuber, let its surface dry, label it Topmix Purple, and store it in a cool, dry, dark, and frost-free place. Check it monthly during winter. The purplish-brown contrast with purplish-purple tips remains sharper when the plant receives at least six hours of direct sun and regular feeding without excess nitrogen. An early-installed stake supports the 5 cm (2 in.) flower heads after rain without compressing the stems or damaging active roots. Remove spent flowers before seed formation so that the clump directs its energy towards new buds until the first frost. Always water slowly at the base, then let the top layer breathe to maintain a balance between moisture, oxygen, and drainage. The purplish-brown shades with purplish-purple tips pair particularly well with blue, white, purple perennials and light grasses.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
12 to 15 L, 30 cm (12 in.) in diameter
Container culture requires planning for the necessary volume for the roots and the plant's final height. Choose a stable pot with drainage holes and a suitable growing medium. Leave enough space to respect the recommended depth and spacing, rather than crowding plants to immediately fill the pot. Place the container in the indicated exposure and regularly check the moisture, especially in hot or windy weather. A pot is more exposed to temperature variations than a plant in the ground. Therefore, plan for a wintering location compatible with the plant's needs and your region's climate from the outset. Plant in spring when all risk of frost has passed and the soil is sufficiently warmed. Choose a sunny spot, sheltered from strong winds, in fertile and well-drained soil. Arrange the tuberous roots with their crown and buds facing upwards, without breaking fragile attachments. Install a stake at planting time if support will be needed, to avoid damaging the roots later. Water sparingly at the start, then adapt water input to foliage growth. Consistently soggy soil around the tubers should be avoided, especially before the first shoots appear. Plan to bring storage organs indoors, away from frost, for the Quebec winter.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in.)
Width / spread
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in.)
Flower color
Brownish purple with purplish-purple tips, orange-yellow heart
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Null and void
Growth rate
Quick
Bloom period
Its small, simple flowers, about 5 cm (2 in) wide, bear brownish-purple florets tipped with purplish-purple around a wide-open orange-yellow disc. Registered as a dwarf single border dahlia, this cultivar renews its flowers from June until the first frost. Regularly remove faded flower heads, but leave some open flowers long enough to feed pollinators. In Quebec, lift the tuber after the first frost, let its surface dry, and store it in a dark, cool, dry, and frost-free place until the following spring.
Harvest
June to October. Pick fully open flowers for small bouquets or allow the flowers to fade naturally before removing them.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
To accompany 'Topmix Purple' dahlia, you could consider cosmos, zinnias, or ornamental salvias. Choose companion varieties based on their height, flowering period, and the colors you wish to combine. Most importantly, ensure their sun exposure and water needs are suitable for the same location. Maintain enough distance so that leaves don't mask young shoots and to allow easy access to each plant during maintenance. These pairings serve to create the garden's aesthetic; they do not guarantee protection against pests or diseases. Adjust the arrangement after observing one growing season.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
When to plant the dahlia Topmix Purple?
Plant the tuber after the last frost, when the soil has warmed up and is no longer saturated. Plant it 10 cm (4 in.) deep, bud side up, in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Leave 30 cm (12 in.) around the crown and install a support immediately. In a cold region, start it in a pot four to six weeks earlier, then gradually acclimate the shoot before transplanting it outside. Water very sparingly before germination to avoid rot, then increase watering once the roots and stems are active. Full sun develops strong stems and intensifies the purple and black contrast.
What colors do Topmix Purple flowers have?
Topmix Purple is more beneficial to pollinators than fully double dahlias because its central disk remains open. Bees, hoverflies, and butterflies can directly access pollen and nectar when the flowers are fresh. Place the pot or border in the sun, avoid spraying pesticides on the flower heads, and leave several flowers open during the day. Then remove faded flowers to encourage new bud formation. Combine with alyssum, salvias, verbenas, or other simple flowers to provide complementary resources before and after peak dahlia bloom times. In a small garden, this succession also maintains the activity of beneficial insects. A shallow saucer of water, frequently refilled, is a useful addition during hot days. The exposed center also allows observation of visits without handling the flowers or disturbing the insects.
How to support and make Topmix Purple flourish?
Install a sturdy stake at planting to avoid damaging the roots later. Tie the stems with soft ties as they grow. Pinch the young shoot at about 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) to encourage multiple branches. Water deeply at the base when the surface dries, then allow excess water to drain. Incorporate mature compost initially and then use a moderate fertilizer, richer in potassium as buds form. Avoid excess nitrogen, which produces tender stems and a lot of foliage. Regularly remove faded flowers so that energy is directed to the next buds until frost.
Can Topmix Purple grow in a large pot?
Yes, choose a stable container of 12 to 15 L, deep, with good drainage, and filled with rich but aerated potting mix. Plant a single tuber 10 cm (4 in) deep and insert the support before the roots develop. Place the pot in full sun, protected from gusts of wind. Water sparingly before sprouting, then abundantly when the top layer dries, without leaving water in the saucer. Apply a moderate liquid fertilizer, richer in potassium as soon as buds appear. Turn the container weekly, pinch back new shoots, and remove faded flowers to maintain a balanced shape and generous blooming.
How to overwinter Topmix Purple in Quebec?
After the first frost that blackens the foliage, cut back the stems, leaving a short section. Lift the tuber with a fork, working far enough away not to damage it. Gently remove excess soil, allow the surface to dry in a ventilated place, and clearly label it Topmix Purple. Store it in a dark, cool, dry, frost-free place, in a slightly insulating material that limits drying out without retaining water. Inspect it monthly. Remove only parts showing active rot and increase ventilation if condensation appears. Wait for the last spring frost and warm soil before replanting.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Single flowers with an open disc give bees, hoverflies and butterflies direct access to pollen and nectar. Leave several flower heads open during the day, avoid pesticides on flowers, and add alyssum, salvia or verbena to extend resources around the pot or border.
For planting your bulbs
The right extras.Right here.
Bulb planters and planting tools
Shop the collection
Soils and amendments for bulbs
Shop the collection
