Dahlia merckii

Very rarely for sale in NZ. A different species to the garden dahlia, D. merckii is a favorite with bees and butterflies. Very floriferous, deadhead every week for flowers from November to May. Small mauve single flowers on thin arching stems. 

Medium sized plant 70x70cm with a light airy habit and fine fern like foliage. Looks great in an informal cottage garden mixed border. Can be grown in a 10L pot. 

Has weird thin elongated tubers with golf ball like tuber bulges. So handle the long tubers with care when potting up.

Reasonably tolerant of wet soil and drought. 

Rare collectors item.