City Lights™ Purple Dahlia

City Lights™ Purple brings deep burgundy-purple, double flowers to sunny containers and garden beds. The breeder lists this upright, branching dahlia at 12–14 inches tall and wide, with dark foliage that sets off the blooms; Nebraska Extension notes that the flower centers deepen toward near-black and observed flowering from July through October in its trial garden. ## Placement and color Give it a sunny position where its dark leaves and saturated flowers can be seen against lighter foliage or a simple background. Its compact size suits a large pot, the front or middle of a border, or repeated planting along a path. The breeder describes the City Lights series as well branched and attractive to butterflies and birds. Flowering dates vary with climate, planting time, and frost. ## Water and seasonal display Plant in fertile soil that holds moisture but drains freely. Water during hot, dry weather; check container soil often because pots dry faster than beds. Avoid leaving the root zone waterlogged. The [RHS dahlia guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/dahlia/growing-guide/) recommends sun, moist but free-draining soil, and regular watering for container plants. For the flower color and trial-season notes, see [Nebraska Extension’s City Lights Purple profile](https://lancaster.unl.edu/dahlia-city-lights-purple-best-show/) and the [Selecta One cultivar page](https://www.selectanorthamerica.com/SpringPlants/SeriesInfo/?phid=021708422004341). ## Maintenance Remove spent flowers to encourage continued display. Dahlias are frost-tender; where winters freeze, protect the tubers or lift and store them in a frost-free place after foliage is damaged by frost, following the [RHS overwintering guidance](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/dahlia/growing-guide/).