Name: ‘Plum Pinwheels’ Dahlia Mix
Brand: Van Noort
SKU: VAN-348-160-01
Price: 20.99 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Sale Sold out

‘Plum Pinwheels’ dahlia mix in bloom, showing double decorative flowers with radiating deep-plum and crisp-white petals

Decorative dahlia tuber mix Asteraceae

Ornamental bulbs

Van Noort

From bulb to bloom

Common name‘Plum Pinwheels’ decorative dahlia mix

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusDahlia

CultivarPlum Pinwheels commercial mix

Bulb typeDecorative dahlia tuber mix

Botanical nameDahlia

Quantity per pack3 units

‘Plum Pinwheels’ Dahlia Mix (Dahlia) combines three No. 1 decorative dahlia tubers in a striking palette of deep plum and crisp white. Double flowers with radiating petals suggest turning pinwheels, adding graphic rhythm to borders and arrangements. Van Noort lists an established height of 100 cm, a 50 cm spread, and upright growth. Summer flowering continues when blooms are cut regularly. Green foliage sets off both the dark and luminous tones. Individual component cultivars are not specified, so the proportion of both colours can vary naturally between packages while preserving the coordinated plum-and-white effect.

Plant all three tubers in spring after every danger of frost, where they receive full sun. Set each tuber approximately 10 cm deep in rich, loose, freely drained soil, then keep centres 50 cm apart. Water lightly after planting and increase moisture as shoots develop without saturating the ground. Pinch young stems above three or four pairs of leaves to encourage branching. Low-nitrogen feeding, support installed early, and consistent moisture produce balanced plants. Protect emerging shoots from slugs and late frost. Leave enough open space around the clump for airflow and convenient access when cutting flowers.

Harvest blooms when they are almost fully open because dahlias continue opening very little after cutting. Remove faded flowers as well to encourage new buds until frost. After the first frost, cut the stems, lift tubers without injuring them, allow them to dry briefly, and store them in a dark, dry, frost-free location. Van Noort assigns this dahlia to hardiness Zone 8 and treats it as an annual across suitable Zones 3 to 10. Dahlias may cause mild digestive upset or skin irritation in cats and dogs, so keep plants, tubers, cut flowers, and debris inaccessible and contact a veterinarian after suspected ingestion.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun
Life cycle: Tender perennial; grown as an annual and stored frost-free in cold climates
Hardiness: Zones 4 to 8

Planting and establishment

Planting guide

Planting & establishment

Spacing / density

about 50 cm (20 in.) between centres

Planting period

After the last frost when soil has warmed

Propagation

Planting and division of tubers carrying a viable crown

Growing method

After the last frost, choose a position receiving at least six hours of sun and loosen rich freely drained soil. Examine every tuber and locate the crown carrying growth buds; a separated tuber without a crown portion will not produce a plant. Set tubers approximately 10 cm deep and keep centres 50 cm apart. Water lightly, then wait for shoots before increasing moisture. When stems reach 25 to 30 cm, pinch above three or four pairs of leaves to encourage branching. Install support before the clump becomes dense. Keep soil evenly moist, feed with a low-nitrogen formula, and cut flowers when fully open. Remove faded flowers weekly. After the first frost, cut the stems, lift the tubers, allow them to dry briefly, and store them in a dark, dry, frost-free place. Inspect monthly and replant only firm divisions in spring. Keep labelled groups together to preserve the coordinated mix. During growth, inspect ties after storms and loosen them before they constrict the stems. Water at soil level in the morning so foliage dries quickly. In containers, place only one tuber in every 45 cm pot. Before storage, keep the label with every clump and clean tools between divisions when disease is suspected. Do not wash tubers unless necessary, because excess surface moisture can encourage rot during storage.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral, approximately 6.0 to 7.0

Moisture

Even moisture during growth; nearly dry storage

Minimum temperature

Approximately 10°F for dormant tubers; protect from every freeze in storage

Care level

Moderate

Watering

Water lightly after planting so dormant tubers do not rot. Once shoots emerge, increase moisture gradually and keep soil evenly moist during growth and flowering. Water deeply at soil level once or twice weekly according to heat, rainfall, and soil type rather than sprinkling lightly every day. Containers dry faster and require regular checks. Reduce water after the first frost and keep tubers nearly dry during storage. Always avoid standing water. A thin organic mulch can reduce evaporation after the soil has warmed, but keep it away from the stems.

Soil type

Soil rich in organic matter, loose, and freely drained supports strong stems and extended flowering. It should retain even moisture during growth without remaining saturated after rain. Incorporate mature compost before planting and loosen compacted layers. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is suitable. In containers, use fertile airy potting mix in a drained pot. Avoid cold depressions, saturated clay, and sites where water gathers around the tubers. Mulch lightly only after the soil has warmed, keeping material away from emerging stems.

Fertilization

Incorporate mature compost before planting. When shoots reach 15 to 20 cm, apply balanced fertilizer or a formula slightly higher in phosphorus and potassium but low in nitrogen. Repeat lightly every three to four weeks until late summer, then stop so tubers mature before storage. Excessive nitrogen produces abundant leaves, fewer flowers, and weaker stems. In containers, water before feeding and periodically flush the potting mix. Always follow the label rate. A plant producing leaves but few buds usually needs more sun or less nitrogen rather than heavier feeding.

Seasonal care

In spring, inspect the tubers, remove soft tissue, and plant after the last frost in warmed soil. Water lightly until shoots emerge. When stems reach 25 to 30 cm, pinch them to encourage branching and install discreet support. In early summer, keep soil moist, feed lightly, and monitor slugs, snails, aphids, spider mites, and earwigs. During flowering, harvest fully open flowers, remove faded blooms weekly, and tie loaded stems. Avoid wetting leaves late in the evening. In late summer, stop feeding but continue watering according to weather. After the first frost, cut stems to grandes, label every clump, lift tubers with a fork, and allow them to dry briefly. Store them in slightly insulating material in a dark, ventilated, nearly dry place at approximately 5–10 °C. Inspect monthly, remove rotted tissue, and barely moisten the packing material only if tubers shrivel severely. Replant the following spring after frost danger passes. Keep stored material inaccessible to pets. During very hot periods, check containers daily and add thin mulch around plants in the ground without touching stems. After heavy rain, straighten supports and remove accumulated water. During storage, never seal damp tubers in a plastic bag. Gentle airflow limits condensation. If tissue must be cut away, let the wound dry before returning the clump to storage. Near the end of winter, prepare containers and potting mix before removing tubers, then gradually acclimate any shoots started indoors. Keep records of storage condition and discard a clump that becomes extensively soft rather than placing neighbouring tubers at risk.

Growing in containers

Container growing

Recommended pot size

pot with drainage holes, at least 45 cm (18 in.) par plant

Choose a drained container at least 45 cm wide and deep for one plant; divide the three tubers among several pots to respect their 50 cm spread. Fill with fertile airy potting mix, set the tuber approximately 10 cm deep, and install support at planting time. Water lightly until shoots emerge, then keep the mix evenly moist without leaving water in the saucer. Position the pot in full sun and rotate it weekly. Pinch the young stem, feed with a low-nitrogen formula every three to four weeks, and cut flowers regularly. Protect the container from strong wind. After the first frost, cut the stems and move the pot to a cool frost-free place, or lift the tubers and store them nearly dry at 5–10 °C. In spring, renew the mix and replant only firm tubers carrying a viable crown. Keep containers and stored tubers inaccessible to pets. On a hot patio, protect the pot from heat reflected by walls and check moisture with a finger before watering. After a storm, inspect ties and straighten the support. If the clump completely fills the container, divide it in spring while retaining a viable crown portion with every section. Clean the pot before replanting and never combine the tubers with edible plants. Raise the container slightly so heavy rain can drain freely.

Growth and flowering

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in.)

Width / spread

10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in.)

Foliage color

Green

Foliage type

Deciduous foliage that becomes dormant after flowering

Growth rate

Moderate

Growth habit

Upright, branching, and bushy after pinching

Fragrance

Subtle fragrance

Bloom period

Flowering begins in midsummer and continues until frost when plants receive full sun and flowers are cut regularly. Fully double decorative blooms are generously sized and combine deep plum and crisp white. Harvest them when almost fully open because dahlias open little after cutting. Remove faded flowers at their base without damaging neighbouring buds. Light feeding, consistent moisture, and adequate support sustain production. Flower count and colour balance vary naturally between the three tubers and growing conditions. Exact component cultivar names are not specified, so individual flower form may also differ slightly.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Combine ‘Plum Pinwheels’ with white cosmos, blue salvias, purple verbenas, cream zinnias, ageratum, and fine grasses. These plants appreciate sun and drained soil, while their colours emphasize the plum-and-white contrast. Keep 50 cm around every dahlia and avoid vigorous neighbours that deprive tubers of moisture. Arrange heights for airflow and preserve access to supports and cut flowers. No companion automatically prevents pests or neutralizes the mild toxicity of dahlias for pets, so choose verified non-toxic substitutions wherever animals can reach the planting.

Garden use

Place ‘Plum Pinwheels’ in the middle of a sunny border, behind white cosmos and before light grasses that frame the flowers without hiding them. Set the three tubers with 50 cm between centres to create a coordinated group, and install discreet support at every position during planting. Pinch young stems to increase branching, then harvest fully open flowers two or three times weekly. Combine deep-plum tones with blue salvias, purple verbenas, and several cream zinnias to reinforce the plum-and-white palette. Preserve a route for watering at soil level, removing faded flowers, and lifting tubers. In large containers, dedicate one 45 cm pot to every plant. After the first frost, label every clump, lift it, and store it frost-free. Keep arrangements beyond the reach of animals. In a space accessible to cats or dogs that chew plants, choose a verified non-toxic alternative. Replant the labelled groups together the following spring to preserve the coordinated effect. To extend visual interest, add silver or purple foliage that remains attractive before the dahlias open. After a storm, inspect ties and remove broken stems promptly. Place a discreet label beside every crown so the mix remains identified during storage. Avoid areas where automatic irrigation keeps the soil saturated. Leave enough working space to lift each clump without damaging neighbouring roots.

Frequently asked questions

How should Plum Pinwheels dahlias be planted?

Plant all three tubers after the last frost where they receive at least six hours of sun. Choose rich, loose, freely drained soil. Examine every tuber to locate the crown carrying growth buds, then set it approximately 10 cm deep. Keep centres 50 cm apart and install support during planting. Water lightly, then increase moisture only after shoots emerge. At 25 to 30 cm tall, pinch the stem above three or four pairs of leaves to encourage branching. Keep soil moist without standing water and use low-nitrogen fertilizer. A separated tuber without a viable crown portion will not produce a plant. Mark every position so later cultivation does not damage new shoots or the underground clump.

When does Plum Pinwheels bloom?

Flowering begins in summer and continues until frost when plants receive full sun and flowers are cut regularly. The three tubers produce large, fully double decorative blooms in deep plum and crisp white. Exact timing, stem count, and colour balance vary with warmth, sunlight, moisture, and every tuber’s vigour. To extend production, harvest flowers when almost fully open and remove faded blooms weekly. Keep soil moist, feed with a low-nitrogen formula, and support the stems. Exact component cultivar names are not specified, so natural variation should be expected. A newly planted tuber may begin later or produce fewer stems during its first establishment period.

How should the tubers be stored over winter?

After the first frost, cut stems to grandes and label every clump before lifting it carefully with a fork. Brush away dry soil without unnecessarily washing the tubers, remove soft tissue, and let the surface dry briefly. Place the tubers in slightly insulating material in a dark, ventilated, nearly dry, frost-free location, ideally around 5–10 °C. Inspect them monthly. Remove rot immediately with a clean tool and barely moisten the packing material only if tubers shrivel severely. In spring, replant after the last frost only firm divisions carrying a viable crown portion. Keep stored material inaccessible to pets because dahlias may cause mild digestive upset or irritation when chewed. Preserve labels so the coordinated mix can be replanted together.

Are Plum Pinwheels dahlias toxic?

Yes. The ASPCA classifies dahlias as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Exposure may cause mild gastrointestinal signs, including vomiting or diarrhea, together with mild skin irritation. Keep leaves, stalks, flowers, tubers, vase water, and debris inaccessible to animals. Do not allow a pet to dig near stored tubers, and place scraps in a closed waste container. After known or suspected ingestion, or when irritation appears, contact a veterinarian. This mix is sold as an ornamental product and exact cultivars are not listed; no part should be offered as food to a person or animal. Wash hands after handling damaged plant tissue. Choose a verified non-toxic alternative wherever access cannot be prevented.

How can more flowers be produced for cutting?

Place the dahlias in full sun, keep centres 50 cm apart, and pinch young stems at 25 to 30 cm tall to encourage several branches. Install supports early, keep soil evenly moist, and use low-nitrogen fertilizer every three to four weeks during active growth. Harvest flowers when almost fully open, early in the morning or evening, cutting each stem just above a node. Remove every faded flower weekly as well; each cut encourages the plant to form new buds. Avoid excessive nitrogen, shade, and dry periods. Replace vase water regularly and keep arrangements inaccessible to cats and dogs. Stop feeding in late summer so tubers can mature before frost and winter storage.