Dahlia pinnata

‘Black Forest Ruby’

BLACK LEAF DAHLIA

Dahlia pinnata ‘Black Forest Ruby’
BLACK LEAF DAHLIA

Dahlia pinnata ‘Black Forest Ruby’ is a newly bred Dahlia with the darkest, blackest of black, jet-black foliage.

Newly bred for blackest of black foliage

This wonderful black foliage creates such contrast and drama in the garden, or a striking feature in a pot.
Many other Dahlias claim to have “black” foliage, but ‘Black Forest Ruby’ is the real deal.

Ruby red double blooms against devil black foliage

Ruby red double Dahlia blooms are dramatic against these glorious black leaves.
Flower forms will range between tight full doubles and semi-doubles which show off attractive button centres.

Sturdy non-flop garden plants

Dahlia pinnata ‘Black Forest Ruby’ has been especially bred for sturdy, hardy, robust garden performance.
This is no hot-house beauty that needs staking or pampering.

Great value with abundant blooms in a small space

Instead it is a robust, easy grower; with good branching and compact growth; with a mass of flowers over a long blooming season.

Perfect for pots or small gardens too

The compact, low, much branched shape makes ‘Black Forest Ruby’ perfect for pots or small garden spaces too.
60-70cm. High x 25-30cm Wide.

Easy peasy to grow

‘Black Forest Ruby’ has also been bred for improved disease resistance – so nothing stops its flowering through summer and autumn, until the winter frosts cut it back.
The tubers do not need to be lifted, just mulch and leave them in place for next year.

Highly fashionable colouring

I am delighted to say that these new Dahlias, with their glorious foliage and flower colours, and ease of growing, are bringing Dahlias out of a fashion black hole.

Quick from seed to flower

If you sow your seeds indoors in late winter to very early spring – you can have new plants to plant out early summer, and see first flowers that autumn.
The tubers then go on for following years.

Harvest edible flowers for the kitchen

Use the ruby petals of Dahlia pinnata ‘Black Forest Ruby’ as a colourful and tasty addition to salads, fruit salads and drinks.
The flavour varies depending on individual plants and conditions, but resembles a cross between water-chestnut and carrots.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow any time of year indoors in appropriate temperatures (20-25°C)
OR
Scatter directly in the garden in spring & early summer.

Dahlias are easy to grow from seed, and from one packet you can get a garden bed full of devilishly dark foliage and wonderful ruby flowers.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seed in a punnet on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then cover the seed to a depth of approx. 5mm.

Now stand the sown punnet in a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Drain, then place the moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position position (but not in any direct sunlight).
Covering with a clear plastic lid will help keep the surface consistently moist.

Continue to keep the sown punnet moist by misting from a spray water bottle.

Temperatures of 20-25°C are best for rapid and optimum germination.
Dahlia seeds do like heat for sprouting.
So use a heat mat if you have one.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 7-14 days.

Then prick out into individual pots once the first set of true leaves have developed, and grow on in pots ready to plant out into the garden in summer.

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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