Dahlia Cactus 'Bora Bora'

Overview

Dahlia Cactus 'Bora Bora' - The Tropical Spikiness 

Dahlia Cactus 'Bora Bora' brings an explosion of tropical vibrancy to the garden with its unique and dynamic form. Unlike the semi-double 'Bishop' types, this is a Cactus Dahlia, featuring tightly rolled petals that create a magnificent, spiky texture, giving the flower an exotic, dramatic appearance. The blooms are large (up to 15 cm or 6 inches) and feature a striking blend of intense orange, scarlet-red, and deep yellow, often appearing bicoloured. Growing to approximately 3.5 ft, 'Bora Bora' provides a continuous show of dazzling colour from mid-summer until the first frost, making it an exceptional, long-stemmed cut flower for bold arrangements.

Key Features

• Rain Resistant: This is a huge plus for Irish and UK gardeners. Because the petals of Cactus dahlias are rolled and pointed, they don't hold water like the bowl-shaped "Decorative" varieties. This means the flower heads are less likely to rot or snap off after a heavy summer downpour.

• Standout Colour: The fiery red-and-yellow blend contrasts beautifully against the lush green grass and grey skies often found in our climate.

• Prolific Flowering: 'Bora Bora' is a generous plant, producing dozens of blooms from July right through to the first frosts.

• Structural Drama: Growing to a height of 100cm, it adds great height and texture to the back of a border.

Gardener's Tip

To achieve a sturdier, bushier plant with an abundance of flowers, you should "pinch" the plant when it is about 30cm (12 inches) tall and has at least four sets of true leaves. Simply snip or pinch out the main growing tip just above a leaf node. Although this will delay the first bloom by a week or two, it encourages the plant to form multiple side shoots, resulting in many more stems and a more compact, wind-resistant structure. Remember to plant out tubers in late May or early June and lift and store them during the winter months, as they are tender.

Specifications