{"product_id":"dahlia-decorative-rip-city-1-bulb","title":"Dahlia Decorative - Rip City - 1 bulb","description":"\u003ch1\u003eRip City Dahlia – Dark, Dramatic \u0026amp; Irresistibly Beautiful 🌺🖤\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBring a touch of drama and sophistication to your summer garden with the spectacular \u003cstrong\u003eRip City Dahlia\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its sumptuous, fully double blooms open in extraordinarily deep shades of \u003cstrong\u003evelvety burgundy, crimson and near-black\u003c\/strong\u003e, with richly layered, slightly twisted petals surrounding an almost black heart. As the flowers mature, flashes of deep ruby-red emerge, giving each bloom incredible depth and character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew dahlias make quite the statement that Rip City does. Against fresh green foliage, its dark flowers look almost decadent – perfect for creating contrast amongst softer pinks, whites and creams, or for building a wonderfully moody garden display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it isn't only beautiful in the garden. \u003cstrong\u003eRip City is an exceptional cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e, producing its dramatic blooms on strong stems that look magnificent in bouquets and vase arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Gardeners Love Rip City Dahlias\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🖤 \u003cstrong\u003eExtraordinary dark colouring\u003c\/strong\u003e – velvety burgundy-red petals deepen to almost black towards the centre.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌺 \u003cstrong\u003eLuxurious, fully double blooms\u003c\/strong\u003e – masses of layered petals create a rich, dramatic flower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e☀️ \u003cstrong\u003eMade for summer colour\u003c\/strong\u003e – thrives in a sunny position and flowers generously through the warmer months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e💐 \u003cstrong\u003eSuperb cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e – strong stems and striking colouring make Rip City a favourite for arrangements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong\u003eA magnificent contrast plant\u003c\/strong\u003e – pair with white, blush, pale pink or soft apricot flowers to make those dark blooms really pop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✂️ \u003cstrong\u003eMore flowers to enjoy\u003c\/strong\u003e – regular deadheading and cutting encourages the plant to keep producing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips for South African Gardens 🌱\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in rich, fertile, well-draining soil. For heavy or clay soils, work in plenty of compost and some sand to improve drainage and aeration. A layer of mulch will help conserve moisture during hot summer weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose a position in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e for the best flowering. In particularly hot areas, a little protection from the harshest midday sun can help reduce water stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e October – December\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 8 cm deep, with the growing points facing upwards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–40 cm apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Do not separate the tubers and roots from the clump. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water approximately every 3–4 days once planted in the ground, adjusting according to rainfall and your soil conditions. Dahlias enjoy consistent moisture but dislike sitting in waterlogged soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feed during active growth with a suitable bulb or flowering plant food to encourage strong plants and an abundance of blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStake stems as the plant grows if additional support is needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePinch young shoots to encourage bushier growth and more flowering stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor fewer but larger statement blooms, remove the two smaller side buds beside the central flower bud.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeadhead regularly to encourage continuous flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCut flowers frequently – Rip City is particularly beautiful in the vase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs the foliage naturally dies back, reduce watering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTubers can be lifted in July and stored somewhere cool and dry until the following planting season.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether planted as a dramatic focal point, woven through a mixed summer border or grown especially for cutting, \u003cstrong\u003eRip City is the dahlia for gardeners who want something truly unforgettable\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its deep wine-red, almost-black flowers bring richness, elegance and just the right amount of drama to the summer garden. 🌺🖤\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asteraceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun Exposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting time:\u003c\/strong\u003e October – December\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering time:\u003c\/strong\u003e December – May\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDormant:\u003c\/strong\u003e May – August\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifting time:\u003c\/strong\u003e July\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuberous root\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep burgundy \/ crimson to near-black\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 cm deep. Do not separate the tubers and roots from the clump.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–40 cm apart\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately every 3–4 days when planted in the ground\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hadeco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46542902722696,"sku":"689406-623","price":155.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1107\/8152\/files\/NewDahlia2026_RipCity.webp?v=1789725408","url":"https:\/\/gardening.co.za\/products\/dahlia-decorative-rip-city-1-bulb","provider":"GARDENING.co.za","version":"1.0","type":"link"}