The "Garden Wonder" dahlia belongs to ornamental cultivars of that species. It develops magnificent blood-red flowers that are densely packed with velvety petals. This is a typical flower bed plant that perfectly fits into natural gardens and can be cut for bouquets. It looks wonderfully in company of perennials and plants with ornamental leaves. It can be combined with other bulb flowers, such as canna lilies and gladioli. Its vivid red colour will rejuvenate the slightly pallid lawns. The addition of the "Garden Wonder" dahlia will add the much needed bright accent to the garden. It will make even a dull grey day enjoyable.

The huge, 15 cm wide flowers of ornamental dahlias sit atop stems that are 70 to 100 cm tall. Their build is typical for that cultivar group - the tear-shaped flowers bend inward and up. The stems are covered with dark green leaves. Dahlia tufts take on an erect yet broad habit. The whole plant constitutes a wonderfully contrasting play of colours. The flowering starts in July and lasts until October or until first frost.

Dahlias should be planted on sunny sites that should also be sheltered from the wind because of the plants' fragile stems. You may also tie dahlias to stakes or use other kinds of supports. Set the plants 20 to 50 cm apart. Put the tuberous roots circa 5 cm deep into the soil between April and June.  Dahlias thrive in sandy-loam, fertile and permeable soil. They require watering during periods of drought. Do not forget to remove wilted flowers.  Dahlias react well to fertilization with manure, compost and mineral fertilizers.

Dahlia tubers cannot winter in the ground and need to be excavated after the first frost in autumn. Cut the stems first and then gently dig out the roots. Place them in open boxes that should be kept in a dry room with a stable temperature within the 2 to 4°C range. You can cover the rootstocks with peat to ensure better storage conditions. If you notice a significant drop in firmness and wrinkles on the surface of the roots, you may wet them sparsely with water.

Each package contains 1 bulb of the "Garden Wonder" dahlia of premium quality. Basic plant growing instructions were printed on the package label.

• Variety: Garden Wonder
• Use: ornamental - flower beds, bouquets
• Growth form: erect and broad
• Flower colour: blood red
• Vegetation form: perennial
• Foliage: dark green
• Site: sunny, wind-sheltered; sandy-loam, fertile, permeable soil
• Bulbs: 1
• Height: 70 to 100 cm
• Flowering period: July - October
• Planting period: April - June
• Planting depth (cm): 5 cm
• Planting distance (cm): 20 to 50 cm
• Wintering in the ground?: No