Description

Dahlia Dutch Explosion is grown for a high energy colour fade and a cactus flower form. The blooms typically open with a white to creamy yellow centre, then shift outward into stronger colour, finishing in vivid pink, magenta or lilac purple tips. Combined with the cactus style petals, this gives a spiky, starburst look that stands out in borders and looks different from week to week as flowers open and mature. Irish horticulturists use Dutch Explosion as a feature plant in display beds, entrance planting and promotional borders because the colour transition reads well from a distance and still rewards close viewing. In private gardens it is ideal near patios and paths, or grown in a large container where the tipped petals and colour fade can be appreciated. It cuts well, providing standout stems for bright mixed bouquets, and regular cutting or deadheading encourages repeat flowering into autumn. To keep the planting looking intentional, pair it with simpler companions such as ornamental grasses, white cosmos, silver foliage and clean blocks of solid colour dahlias, letting the cactus blooms provide the detail. Plant after frost risk has passed, in full sun and fertile, free draining soil improved with compost. Keep moisture steady through summer, stake if exposed, feed from bud stage onwards and deadhead regularly to maintain continuous buds. Lift and store tubers frost free after the first frosts for reliable replanting in Ireland.