Dahlia Peony Flowering 'Bishop of Leicester'

Dahlia 'Bishop of Leicester' – The Softest of the Bishops

A masterclass in contrast: delicate pastel blooms set against dramatic dark chocolate foliage.

Bring a touch of dramatic elegance to your garden with the captivating Dahlia 'Bishop of Leicester'. This stunning variety is a beloved member of the 'Bishop' series, renowned for its vivid, contrasting colours. Its soft, pale lavender-pink (or lilac-pink) peony-style blooms, featuring a lovely golden centre, are brilliantly set off against a backdrop of deep bronze-purple to nearly black foliage. Growing to 2.5 to 3.5 ft, this Dahlia offers continuous flowers from mid-summer until frost. The open flowers are a magnet for pollinators, and the strong stems make it an excellent cut flower for beautiful indoor arrangements.

• Pollinator Paradise: Unlike the tightly packed "ball" dahlias, this peony-flowered variety has an open center rich in nectar. It is a magnet for bees and butterflies from high summer until late autumn.

• Foliage First: The dark, bronzed leaves provide structure and color in the border from June onwards, long before the first flower opens.

• No Flopping: It has a naturally upright, airy habit that is generally sturdier than the heavy 'Dinnerplate' varieties, though it still appreciates some support.

• Versatile Color: The soft pinks blend effortlessly with silvers, blues, and whites, making it easier to place in a mixed border than the hotter red varieties.

Gardener's Tip for Planting and Maximising Impact

Planting Time: Dahlia tubers are tender. For the best display, start the tubers off indoors in pots in March or April. Plant them out into the garden only after all risk of frost has completely passed—usually late May or early June across most of the UK and Ireland. For stronger plants and continuous blooms, keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season and deadhead spent flowers regularly. As Dahlias are not hardy in our climate, you must lift and store the tubers in a dry, frost-free location over winter to replant the following spring.

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