Dahlia imperialis alba — Dahlia bambou, Dahlia Géant

This giant dahlia should be grown near a wall or a fence, to which it can be secured against being blown over (a south facing wall is ideal or against a tree). The tubers can spread to 60-70cm in diameter and cannot be transplanted without being broken up. The 10cm thick stems grow throughout the summer and can be cut down after flowering has finished. Flower buds start appearing with the shorter daylight of november. However, if by bad luck a november frost of -3°C occurs the leaves will be scorched and flowering will stop. (Just before a frost it is a good idea to cut some stems to be put in a vase indoor) The pure white flowers appear slightly later than the lilac form. The leaves will be scorched by the frost a bit easier than the mauve form ( and is generally 1 m shorter).