Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff
Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff'
An award-winning heirloom dahlia that combines stunning scarlet-red single flowers with dramatic dark bronze-purple foliage for an absolutely striking garden presence. This compact variety has been beloved by gardeners since 1924, offering both exceptional flower power for cutting and foliage that rivals the most exotic coleus for dramatic garden impact.
Harvest
90-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
DAHL-ee-a
Zones
7–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-6 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff in USDA Zone 7
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Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff · Zones 7–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: DAHL-ee-a. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Propagation: Division, Root Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Were grown as a food crop by Aztecs, but the practice has died out.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh cut Bishop of Llandaff flowers last 5-7 days in cool water with flower food. Immediately place cut stems in warm water (100-110°F) for the first hour, then transfer to cool, clean water. Change water every 2 days and recut stems underwater.
For preserving, these single blooms press beautifully—place flowers face-down between absorbent paper and press for 2-3 weeks. The dramatic dark foliage also presses well and adds striking contrast to arrangements. Air-drying works moderately well; hang small bunches upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area, though the single petals may drop. The flowers are not edible and should never be used in food preparation. For year-round enjoyment, photograph the stunning color combination of scarlet blooms against bronze-purple foliage, as this contrast is impossible to preserve through traditional methods.
History & Origin
Bishop of Llandaff was introduced in 1924 by Fred Treseder, a renowned Welsh nurseryman from Cardiff. Named after the Bishop of Llandaff Cathedral in Wales, this dahlia quickly gained recognition for its unique combination of brilliant scarlet single flowers and distinctive dark bronze-purple foliage—a relatively rare trait in dahlias at that time.
The variety earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, cementing its status as an exceptional garden performer. During the 1920s and 1930s, it became a favorite in English cottage gardens and formal bedding schemes alike. Its compact habit and striking foliage made it particularly valuable when the trend toward 'architectural' plants began emerging in mid-20th century garden design.
After nearly a century in cultivation, Bishop of Llandaff remains largely unchanged from Treseder's original selection, making it a true heirloom variety. It sparked interest in other dark-foliaged dahlia varieties, leading to the development of the entire 'Bishop' series, though the original Llandaff remains the most widely grown and beloved of the group.
Advantages
- +Attracts: In Zone 7 harvest tuberous roots in fall, dry carefully (do not wash), and store in vermiculite or dry sand at 35-45 degrees F. In Zone 8, just mulch.
- +Wildlife value: attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
- +Edible: Were grown as a food crop by Aztecs, but the practice has died out.
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that commonly attack dahlias
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from dahlias
Cosmos
Attract beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps that control dahlia pests
Zinnia
Similar growing conditions and attract pollinators while providing complementary colors
Cleome
Attract beneficial insects and provide vertical structure without competing for resources
Salvia
Repel aphids and attract beneficial pollinators with contrasting flower shapes
Chives
Repel aphids and thrips while improving soil with their root system
Sweet Alyssum
Ground cover that attracts hover flies which prey on aphids affecting dahlias
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to dahlias and causes wilting and death
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit dahlia growth and development
Sunflowers
Compete heavily for nutrients and water, and can overshadow dahlias reducing bloom production
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169270)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good overall disease resistance, some susceptibility to powdery mildew
Common Pests
Aphids, thrips, spider mites, earwigs, slugs
Diseases
Powdery mildew, crown rot, viral diseases