When growing a cut flower garden (organically of course) it’s almost a rites of passage to become smitten with the dahlia’s gorgeous blooms and in particular, the perennial wedding favourite ‘Cafe au Lait’. And if you’re seeking out the best places to buy dahlia tubers in Australia, look no further; in this post we curate a comprehensive list of where to buy dahlia tubers across the country so you can bookmark the sites, seek out hard-to-find dahlia varieties and sign up for email notifications so you never miss a dahlia tuber sale ever again.
Mount Joy Cottage
Founded by Kirsten Moore a farmer and qualified florist, Mount Joy Cottage has been in operation for just three years, but already has a loyal following in Australia’s cut flower community. A great range of dahlias and spring bulbs are on offer, all grown in a half-acre backyard in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Dahlia tubers are priced at $10 except Cafe au Lait which is $15. Domestic shipping is a flat rate of $14 and they offer free shipping on orders of $120 or more. Shop Mount Joy Cottage and you’ll be supporting a small, family-operated business.
The Rook Blooms
Located in Bullengarook, Victoria near the Macedon Ranges, family-run flower farm The Rook Blooms specialises in wholesale cut flowers focusing on the dahlia and ranunculus varieties. The business also runs dahlia tuber sales throughout the year, with the next one scheduled for Friday September 3 at 7pm AEST. A good range of dahlia varieties are available, including Formby Monarch, West Coast and Winkie Cinnamon. Prices start from $12.
Van Diemen Quality Bulbs
A Tasmania-based speciality bulb grower, family-run Van Diemen Quality Bulbs has a good selection of dahlias to choose from, with prices starting at $9.90. Tubers sell out fast (at the time of writing this includes Cafe au Lait, African Sunset and Frank Holmes) so you’ll need to get in quick or risk missing out on popular varieties.
Wild Violet Farm
Growing dahlias and other edible plants in Lilydale, Victoria is Sam Webb of Wild Violet Flower Farm. Her gorgeous Instagram account filled with varieties such as Holland Festival, Tropical Dream and Cafe au Lait gives you an idea of the dahlia tubers up for grabs. While the date of the dahlia tuber sale has yet to be confirmed as Sam is still dividing her dahlias and ensuring in quality shape to be sold, the website confirms it will go live at some point in September. Tubers will be priced from $12 to $25 and nationwide shipping is available.
Artful Dahlias
When two friends combine their creative skills and their farms, great things can happen and that’s exactly the case with Emma and Ruth of Artful Dahlias. Located in Tasmania, the duo sells dahlias tubers and cut flowers for the home gardener or flower obsessed. As proud local growers, Tasmanian residents can expect first dibs with a two-day presale before it is opened up to the rest of the country. The sale is expected to be announced shortly, with the business writing on an Instagram post:
“After a very busy month for both of us we are finally getting close to finishing the website. All things going to plan the catalogue will go live next week for you to plan your purchases. As the temperatures are still very cold down the south of TAS where we are, all our tubers are still very much dormant and asleep. We will aim to start checking for eyes forming closer to the end of September and confirming our numbers for sale. Once the sale date is announced we will kick off with a 2 day TAS growers pre-sale and then after that will open to customers Australia wide (except for WA). Once purchased tubers will be packed and posted straight away.”
Artful Dahlias recommends customers sign up to their email newsletter to be one of the first to learn about tuber sales.
Tesselaar
Spanning 75 years and three generations, Tesselaar is one of the most trusted brands in Australian gardening. It also stocks a selection of dahlia varieties, from Delbard dahlia varieties through to dinner plate dahlias. Prices for one dahlia tuber starts at $9. Buy in bulk to save.
Club Creek Bulb Farm
Whether you’re after dinnerplate dahlias to pompons, Club Creek Bulb Farm has you covered. As dahlias typically flower in the summer, the seasonal flower farm based in Emerald, Victoria runs its tuber sales from August until mid-November. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns in the state, only a limited number of each variety is available. Most are priced at $12.
To submit your order, you will need to review the 2021 Spring catalogue and should you wish to pay by credit card or direct bank transfer, will need to contact them first and submit your order via email or fax. If you wish to pay by cheque, just post it with your completed order form to the PO box listed.
Garden Express
Touting itself as “Australia’s largest online nursery” Garden Express has one of the largest selections of dahlia tubers online, variety-wise and colour-wise. While some dahlia tubers are available for purchase now, others are sold out and the business is taking pre-orders for others (a smart option for those not wanting to miss the boat). Prices start from $8.90, buy in bulk to save more.
Country Dahlias
Laying claim to Australia’s largest collection of dahlias, Country Dahlias devotes two acres of growing space which houses 20,000 dahlia bushes and some 2,250 varieties, from giant decorative dahlias, waterlily dahlias through to ball dahlias. The business situated in Winchelsea, Victoria still runs as a mail order business of sorts and will accept cheque, cash or money order and you can also complete a direct bank transfer using your name as the reference.
Hansfords Dahlias
Hansfords Dahlias based in Warragul, Victoria grows over 1000 dahlia varieties on their farm. While the business has a basic website showcasing some of what they offer, they recommend jumping on their Facebook page where you can browse their entire range and contact them if you wish to make a purchase. Dahlia tubers are made available throughout the year and especially in the lead up to Spring where varieties such as ‘Granite Queen Bee’ and ‘Issobella’ sell out quickly.
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Disclosure: All prices and details are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change at the discretion of each seller listed.
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- Edible Flowers: Popular, Cute and Profitable
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- 10 Podcasts Hosted by BIPOC Women to Tune Into
- 10 Ways to Style Your Indoor Space with Plants, Flowers and Greenery
Cover image by Lynnelle Cleveland.
