Dahlia Peony Flowering 'Bishop of Llandaff'

Overview

Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' – The Most Famous Dahlia in the World

A timeless classic and multiple RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) winner, the Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' is the original and most celebrated variety of the 'Bishop' series. It creates a stunning, high-contrast effect with its intensely vivid, brilliant scarlet-red semi-double blooms set against striking deep bronze-purple to nearly black foliage. This plant grows to a sturdy 2.5 to 3.5 ft, providing a dramatic splash of 'hot' colour from mid-summer through the autumn. Its open-centred flowers are a superb source of nectar for bees and butterflies, and its strong stems make it a magnificent and reliable cut flower.

Key Features

• The Ultimate Contrast: The combination of fire-engine red flowers and black-bronze leaves is unmatched for visual impact.

• Pollinator Magnet: The open, peony-style center provides easy access to nectar. It is one of the best dahlias for attracting bees and butterflies in late summer.

• Weather Resistant: The stems are wiry and dark, generally holding up better in UK and Irish winds than the heavier, fully double varieties.

Gardener's Tip

Be careful with your fertiliser. The dark foliage of 'Bishop of Llandaff' is beautiful, but you don't want the plant to focus only on the leaves. Avoid general-purpose feeds high in Nitrogen (which encourages leafy growth). Instead, once the first flower buds appear in July, switch to a high-potash feed (like liquid tomato food or seaweed feed). This encourages the plant to pump its energy into producing those bright red blooms rather than just more green (or bronze) stems.

Specifications