Dahlia Rip City

A long time favorite, Dahlia 'Rip City' is a magnificent and eye-catching, black-crimson dahlia with wonderful wavy petals and an almost black heart. The fully double flowers, 4-6 in. across (10-15 cm), add real drama in the border and in the vase. They are borne atop long, sturdy stems and are excellent for cutting. Blooming massively from July until frost, this dahlia grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and is a knockout as cut flowers or in the garden.

• Best flowering occurs in full sun, but light shade will be welcomed in hot summer areas.
• Provide consistent moisture during the growing season and do not allow soils dry out. Plant in a sheltered location to protect your dahlias from strong winds.
• Best in groups of 5 for best visual effect. Deadhead spent flowers to promote growth of additional flower buds.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• If you live in a cool area (hardiness zones 3-7) and you want to save your dahlia bulbs, or more precisely, your dahlia tubers for next spring, you may dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next spring. Store them in boxes, covered with moistened sand in a cool, dark, frost-free place where temperature remains between 45-50 °F (7-10°C).
• This Dahlia is a member of the Cactus Dahlias which have the most exceptional blooms. The Dahlia flowers have beautiful ‘spiny’ petals that are rolled up along more than two-thirds of their length. Sometimes, the petals are straight from the base to the tip, but they can also curve inward or outward. The petals are often narrow and pointed, and some have deeply incised tips. These are the ones known as spider dahlias, and they make real eye-catchers!