Dahlia 'Black Narcissus' Bulbs

'Black Narcissus' is a tall semi cactus dahlia that commands attention with its bold, spiky-petaled blooms in a rich, deep red so dark it appears nearly black. Reaching a mature height of 36 to 48 inches, this dramatic beauty delivers a captivating summer display in garden beds and borders. Its exotic, high-texture flowers create dazzling contrast in arrangements, blending beautifully with lighter blooms. Plus, the more you cut, the more blooms you'll enjoy—an absolute must-have for garden and vase alike.

A clump-forming perennial (Zones 8-11), 'Black Narcissus' thrives as a stunning focal point in the back of borders or beds and works equally well as a container accent. Its upright habit benefits from staking or caging for added support. With its alluring appearance, this dahlia transforms any space into a true showpiece.

Simple to grow, dahlias prefer full sun and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Enhance heavy clays or sandy soils with organic matter, such as peat moss or ground bark, for optimal drainage and moisture retention. Plant tubers 3 to 5 inches deep and 12 to 16 inches apart in spring, after the last frost. Keep soil moist and pinch back stems at 8 to 10 inches tall to promote bushy growth and abundant blooms. Fertilize early in the season and again in late summer and apply mulch to maintain soil moisture and coolness. Divide tubers in fall for continued growth year after year.

For a head start, start tubers indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Use 5- to 8-inch pots with a quality potting mix, and transplant outdoors when the danger of frost has passed.

NOTE: In Zones 3-7, lift and store tubers indoors before the first frost, keeping them at 50°F in dry peat moss or vermiculite. 'Black Narcissus' also thrives as an annual in all zones, delivering its dramatic flair in any garden.