Description

Dahlia Little Robert is grown for neat, uniform pompon flowers that are small and perfectly spherical, with a strong bi colour effect. Flowers are primarily deep pink, magenta or purple, contrasted by crisp white tips or white at the base of the petals, giving a clean, patterned look that reads well at distance and holds detail up close. Pompon dahlias are valued because they keep their shape in wet weather better than many larger flower forms and stay tidy in managed beds. It is an easy fit for patio pots and front of border planting, and it is excellent for cutting, producing lots of usable stems for posies and mixed bouquets. Regular cutting or deadheading keeps buds forming into autumn, giving long season value from a single tuber.  If biodiversity is part of the goal, surround the planting with nectar rich, open flowered companions such as salvia, verbena and nepeta.
Plant after frost risk has passed in full sun and free draining soil improved with compost. Keep moisture steady, feed from bud stage onwards and deadhead regularly. Stake if the site is exposed. Lift and store tubers frost free after the first frosts.