Festival Special
ANDREW CHARLES
How to Grow
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.
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J
This was included in my shipment as a free tuber. It actually is one of my favorites this season. The plant is close to 6’ tall with striking orange blooms that fades to yellow center as it ages. The petals are spiky and turn up like a flame. Beautiful tangerine- yellow shade. Adds a nice bright bling to arrangements.
A
Andrew Charles is a trooper. I planted it late last year so it took a while to get going and it is now one of my favorites. I The plant is well behaved straight stems long vase life. The color and form is outstanding. Elegant form and the color is such a happy sunshiny gold, happier looking than any sunflower. I am ordering another one just in case it has not survived the winter and I would not want to be without this one. If it has survived then I have double the beauty.
N
This plant does not disappoint. I look forward to him blooming every year… he is a strong, grower, great stems, lots of blooms and heavy tuber. What more can you ask for?
J
I didn't think I was going to get any of these, but one finally bloomed in mid-September. It is lovely.
J
We live in eastern WA—zone 7A. Andrew Charles bloomed early and was a heavy bloomer on long, strong stems. Fantastic flower for cutting. The soft orange blends well with stronger colors—I did not find a dahlia other than pastel pinks and whites—that wasn’t enhanced by this great addition to the arrangements. It’s big enough to be a statement flower, but can be used as a blender/filler in arrangements that have strong reds and purples. I paired it often with Lights Out and Amber Queen and Queeny Lime zinnias—gorgeous. I am looking forward to dividing and having more of these great plants next season.
d
This ended up being a blind tuber - grew roots but had no eye. We waited so long for it to grow, it was too late to get a replacement. That's 3 blind tubers (and blank spots) from Swan Island this season. Unusual and very disappointing.
E
This bloomed late for me, but the blooms are breathtaking! Can't wait to grow it next year.
C
I ordered this A) because I liked the color and especially B) because I have have sons named Andrew and Charles. I LOVE this dahlia...keeps so beautifully in water, is so lovely in the garden. I recently moved, and was bereft to see that it was sold out for this year. I plan to pounce next year!!
S
Andrew Charles because of its color goes with so many other of my dahlias. Color is great.
C
I have 3 of these in my small garden and now that they are 2 seasons in, they are crazy prolific bloomers. I left one uncovered over winter (7b growing range) and it survived well also (not recommended, but shows the hardiness).
S
This grew well and bloomed well. New for me this year. Love the color.
M
I was surprised that this dahlia became one of my favorites. Such a bright orange that just glows in the sunshine. And it produces a lot of flowers on long stems. It's a real keeper.
D
Most pictures do not do justice to this dahlia, including the one at this website. I've only seen a few dahlias with a similar open form and graceful upswept petals (Leila Savanna Rose, another Swan Island creation, is another, but I don't like it as much.) The flowers are well-positioned on long stems, so it is superb dahlia for cutting. The saturated color, which can range from orangey gold to warm gold depending on the weather, makes it a star in riotous autumn bouquets, but I also often use it alone. Its spare grace shines in Ikebana arrangements such as a tall Japanese basket. I cut when the flowers are abut 1/3 open and find its vase life impressive. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the ball dahlias aren't the only one that have staying power in the vase. Andrew Charles outperforms many of them for me. It's always the last dahlia standing the mixed bouquets. I've grown this dahlia for many years. It can bloom on the early side in a good year. This year, after a summer of weather whiplash which stressed all the dahlias, it bloomed quite late.
This is the one dahlia that will ALWAYS be in my garden.
n
a little later blooming. Great color, mine's orangier than the photos. long stems