Festival Special


About this Product
These 4” stunning black velvet red blooms will awe you. It has beautiful dark foliage on its compact 3 ½’ plant. A highly sought after variety, as many believe the blossoms have a small hint of chocolate fragrance.
Bloom Size: 4"
Plant Height: 3½'
Bloom Time: Average (90 days)
Bloom Style:
- Waterlily
Color: Red
Year Introduced: 2007
Dahlias are grown from tubers (similar to a bulb, but thin-skinned like a potato). Plant tubers in the springtime, about the same time as you would your vegetable gardens or when the ground is warm enough to work up and play in daily. Plant them in a full sun location (giving them 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and enjoy blooms all summer long. They will bloom and provide you with color and abundant flowers for cutting and enjoying throughout the summer.
The more you cut a dahlia plant, the more it will bloom. Most cut dahlias will last up to 5 days once cut and treated.
See our full shipping policy for more details.

VALID AUGUST 1 - SEPTEMBER 30
10% OFF
ALL DAHLIA TUBER ORDERS
Discount excludes prior purchases, gift certificates, gift shop, and cut flowers. Discount automatically applied at checkout. No coupon is necessary. Sale may not be combined with other offers, coupons, or promotions. All tubers will be shipped spring 2027 and must be planted the spring 2027 season, No Exceptions. Starts August 1, 2026, 12:01 am & Expires September 30, 2026, 11:59 pm. Discount does not apply to Phone, Fax, or Mail orders. No Rainchecks or Back-Orders.

Festival Special
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The tuber was tiny. It only grew to 18" producing 3 blooms and wilted after two months. I called Swan Island and was told to move the plant because it did not have enough space. Moreover, I was told it was doing well at the height of 18"! Despite difference in opinion about the dahlia being cramped, I moved it. I had 25 dahlias and all were exceptional. The majority of my dahlias were from Swan Island and absolutely stunning. This was my first failed dahlia in my gardening career.
I purchased this variety in 2021 for 2022 planting. It didn't bloom last year as the tuber was smaller than a peanut shell. It finally launched its first bloom this October 2023. The color is closer to a true cadmium red. It does not look like a waterlily form to me. Compared to the photo, the petals are more irregular and varied in size and shape, and the color is consistent from edge to center. It is pretty in itself, bit I would never have paid $19.95 for this more ordinary dahlia.
Loads of blooms in my massachusetts garden! I cut the first couple today to see how well they stay as cut flowers. Very pleased! Don't pass this up just because it is a bit expensive, it is worth it.
I agree with the other reviewer. This flower has amazing depth and the color is just mind blowing. Inner peddles very dark and slowly lightens to the outer rim. Tremendous number of buds on a dark leaf plant. Mysterious velvety intriguing flower on strong stem. I also, gravitate to this beautiful flower. Could be part of my top five.
This deep red-black flower against healthy purple-green leaves is gorgeous in the yard, but even more stunning in flower arrangements where it works well with reds, peaches, purples, and golds. The color has so much depth and richness - much more so than the photos can capture. It looks like it is made of the finest velvet - one thinks of 19th century drapes or formal evening gowns. Every bloom gets noticed. The flower is long lasting in the garden and in the vase. I always gravitate to it when I go out to get flowers for cutting. Expensive but worth it!