Spartacus Dahlia, Decorative Dahlia, Dinnerplate Dahlia
Dahlia ‘Spartacus’ is an exceptional dahlia variety, offering a blend of dramatic color, luxurious form, and robust growth. Its adaptability, ease of cultivation, and stunning appearance make it a highly desired choice for gardeners and floral designers. Whether used to enhance the beauty of a garden, as a standout in floral arrangements, or as part of a competitive display, ‘Spartacus’ continues to be celebrated for its bold beauty and horticultural excellence. This dahlia is featured in our top 40 must-see dahlia flowers.
Dahlia ‘Spartacus’ is a striking decorative dahlia renowned for its large, ruffled petals and vivid coloring. A standout in the Dahlia world, ‘Spartacus’ is particularly noted for its rich, deep red blooms that are both bold and dramatic. ‘Spartacus’ is also classified as a dinnerplate dahlia due to its impressively large flowers.
Native: Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America. This cultivar results from extensive breeding and does not occur naturally in the wild.
Plant Type and Habit: This dahlia is a tuberous-rooted perennial with a bushy, upright growth habit. This variety is known for its robustness and vigorous growth, producing strong, upright stems ideal for cutting.
Size: It generally reaches about 48-60 inches in height (120-150 cm) and spreads around 18-24 inches (30-60 cm), depending on growing conditions.
Flowers: The flowers of ‘Spartacus’ are its most captivating feature. They are large, often measuring 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in diameter. The petals are deep red, ruffled, and slightly curved, contributing to a full, luxurious appearance. The rich color and texture of the blooms make them a favorite for those seeking a dramatic floral impact.
Bloom Time: Blooming from mid-summer until the first frost it provides long-lasting color in the garden.
Foliage: The foliage is typical of dahlias, with dark green leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the bright flowers.
Uses: ‘Spartacus’ is incredibly versatile and ideal for both garden use and floral arrangements. Its stunning blooms and robust growth make it a popular choice for cutting gardens. In landscaping, it serves as an eye-catching focal point in borders or can be used to create a dramatic impact in mixed beds. The plant’s size and striking blooms also make it suitable for large container plantings.
Hardiness: Dahlias are hardy in USDA zones 8-11. In colder zones, tubers need to be lifted and stored over winter.
Toxicity: Dahlias are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Their ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal upset and other health issues in pets and livestock.
Wildlife: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Deer and Rabbit: Dahlias are somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits but may still be vulnerable to browsing.
Invasiveness: Not invasive; dahlias grow from tubers and do not spread aggressively.
Light: Dahlias love the sun, so choose a location with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Soil: Dahlias prefer well-drained, loamy soil. They don’t tolerate water-logged conditions, so if your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with compost or peat moss to improve drainage.
Planting Time: Dahlias are usually planted in the spring after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
Planting Depth: Dahlia tubers should be planted about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) deep, with the “eye” (the small bump from where the stem will grow) facing upward.
Watering: Dahlias like consistent moisture. Water them deeply a couple of times a week, more often if your area is experiencing a drought. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Fertilizing: Dahlias respond well to low-nitrogen fertilizers, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-20. Too much nitrogen can lead to lush, leafy growth and fewer flowers.
Deadheading: Regularly removing the spent flowers (deadheading) will keep your dahlias producing more blooms.
Overwintering: In colder climates (zones 7 and below), you’ll need to dig up and store the tubers indoors over the winter.
Pests and Diseases: Dahlias are generally relatively disease and pest-resistant, but there are a few common issues to watch out such as aphids, botrytis blight, earwigs, powdery mildew, slugs and snails, spider mites, and thrips.
Hardiness |
8 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 11 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Genus | Dahlia |
Common names | Dahlia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies, Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, City and Courtyard |
Hardiness |
8 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 11 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Genus | Dahlia |
Common names | Dahlia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies, Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, City and Courtyard |
How many Dahlia ‘Spartacus’ do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Dahlia ‘Spartacus’ | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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