‘Downham Royal’ is a ball dahlia with rounded purple flowers made up of tightly arranged, evenly rolled petals. Their geometric form adds texture to bouquets and garden beds on stems that reach about 1 m. Flowering continues from summer until frost. Each pack contains one dormant tuberous root clump for spring planting.

In Canada, plant outdoors after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Choose full sun and fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Set the roots about 10 cm deep with the crown and growth buds facing up, leaving 50 cm between plants. Put a stake in place at planting time to support the stems without damaging the roots later.

The rich purple contrasts beautifully with cream, soft pink or apricot flowers and adds depth to arrangements. Water regularly during active growth without leaving the soil waterlogged, and remove faded blooms to encourage flowering. In fall, after the first light frosts blacken the foliage, lift the roots before the ground freezes. Let them dry off, then store them in a cool, frost-free place for replanting the following spring.