Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ Tuber | Mauve-Lavender Ball-Form Dahlia

Bring refined mauve and lavender colour to the garden with Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’, an Australian-bred dahlia producing compact, beautifully rounded flowers.

The tightly arranged petals blend shades of mauve, lilac, lavender-pink and soft purple. Depending on the growing conditions, its petite blooms may develop either a miniature decorative or rounded ball-like form.

Raised by Victorian dahlia breeder Bob Yeomans and named after his wife, Shirley, this award-winning cultivar is an excellent choice for Australian dahlia collections, garden displays and cut-flower arrangements.

EXAMPLE IMAGE ONLY: The flower image shows an example of the expected mature bloom. The balance and intensity of the mauve, lavender, lilac, pink and purple colouring may vary naturally according to climate, lighting, growing conditions and flower maturity. Flower form may appear more decorative or ball-shaped under different conditions. The supplied product is a dormant tuber—not a flowering plant.

Flower Characteristics

• Mauve-to-lavender colouring
• Lilac, soft-purple and pink undertones
• Compact, rounded flower form
• Miniature decorative to ball-shaped blooms
• Tightly arranged petals
• Flowers generally measuring approximately 5–7cm
• May produce slightly larger blooms under some conditions
• Prolific flowering habit
• Excellent stems for cutting
• Attractive in bouquets and floral arrangements

Supplied as Dormant Tubers

Supplied as the selected quantity of dormant Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ tubers.

Dahlia tubers naturally vary in size, shape and appearance. A smaller tuber can grow just as successfully as a larger tuber when it is healthy and has a viable eye or growing point.

Tubers may arrive without visible shoots or roots. This is normal while they are dormant.

Key Features

• Correct cultivar name is Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’
• Australian-bred dahlia cultivar
• Raised by Victorian breeder Bob Yeomans
• Named after the breeder’s wife, Shirley Yeomans
• Award-winning cultivar
• Mauve, lavender and lilac colouring
• Miniature decorative to ball-like flower form
• Compact blooms generally measuring approximately 5–7cm
• Grows approximately 1.2m tall
• Flowers throughout summer and autumn
• Excellent cut-flower variety
• Suitable for beds, borders and large containers
• Frost-tender tuberous perennial
• Supplied as dormant tubers

Suitable Uses

• Australian-bred dahlia collections
• Mauve and lavender garden displays
• Cottage gardens
• Mixed flower borders
• Feature planting
• Cut-flower gardens
• Bouquets and floral arrangements
• Wedding and event flowers
• Ball and decorative dahlia collections
• Large pots and containers
• Seasonal summer displays
• Collector gardens

Planting Instructions

Plant Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ during spring once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm.

In many Australian climates, suitable planting time falls between September and December. Adjust planting time according to local temperatures and frost conditions.

Choose a sunny position with fertile, free-draining soil. Avoid low-lying areas where water collects, as dormant tubers can rot in continually wet conditions.

Lay each tuber horizontally approximately 5–10cm below the soil surface, with the crown or growing point facing upwards. Cover gently with soil.

Space plants approximately 60cm apart to provide adequate room for growth and good airflow.

Install a sturdy stake when planting. Adding support before growth begins reduces the risk of accidentally damaging the tuber later.

Avoid heavy watering immediately after planting. If the soil is already moist, wait until shoots begin emerging before commencing regular watering.

Care Instructions

Position

Grow Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ in full sun, ideally with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Light afternoon shade can be beneficial in particularly hot Australian climates. Excessive shade may result in softer stems, weaker growth and fewer flowers.

Soil

Plant in fertile, humus-rich and free-draining soil.

Improve the planting area with compost or well-aged organic matter before planting. Heavy clay soil should be amended to improve drainage, or the tuber can be grown in a raised garden bed or large container.

Excellent drainage is particularly important in subtropical climates and areas experiencing heavy summer rainfall.

Watering

Once shoots emerge, water deeply and regularly while allowing the upper surface of the soil to begin drying between applications.

Increase watering during hot, dry or windy weather. Avoid keeping the soil continually saturated, particularly around the crown and tubers.

Water near the base of the plant where possible to reduce prolonged moisture on the foliage and flowers.

Feeding

Apply a balanced or flowering-plant fertiliser once active growth is established.

Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage abundant foliage at the expense of flower production. Additional flowering fertiliser may be applied when buds begin developing, following the product label directions.

Staking

Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ grows to approximately 1.2m tall and should be supported, particularly in windy or exposed positions.

Install a sturdy stake at planting time and secure the stems loosely as the plant grows. Allow enough room for natural movement and stem expansion.

Pinching

For bushier growth and additional flowering stems, pinch out the central growing tip once the young plant has developed approximately four or five sets of leaves.

Pinching may delay the first flowers slightly but can encourage a fuller plant with more flowering branches.

Deadheading and Cutting

Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming and prevent the plant from directing energy into seed production.

Flowers intended for arrangements are best cut during the cooler part of the morning. Choose stems carrying flowers that are almost fully open and place them into clean water promptly after cutting.

Regular cutting and deadheading can help extend the flowering period.

Hot and Humid Climates

In subtropical and humid regions, provide excellent drainage and generous spacing between plants.

Good airflow helps reduce the risk of fungal problems. Avoid continually wet foliage and water early enough for the leaves to dry before evening.

Protection from intense late-afternoon sun may help preserve flower quality during periods of extreme heat.

End-of-Season Care

After flowering, allow the foliage to remain until it begins yellowing and dying back naturally. This enables the plant to return energy to its tubers.

In mild climates with free-draining soil, tubers may be left in the ground during dormancy. Mark the planting position and keep the area relatively dry.

Established clumps can be lifted and divided periodically to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigorous growth.

In cold, frost-prone or persistently wet climates, lift the tubers after the foliage has died back. Allow them to dry before storing them in a cool, dark, frost-free and well-ventilated location.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Dahlia hybrid ‘Shirley Yeomans’
Cultivar: ‘Shirley Yeomans’
Common Name: Dahlia
Family: Asteraceae
Breeder: Bob Yeomans
Origin: Victoria, Australia
Flower Classification: Miniature decorative to ball-form dahlia
Flower Colour: Mauve, lavender, lilac and soft purple with possible pink undertones
Flower Size: Generally approximately 5–7cm
Plant Height: Approximately 1.2m
Flowering Period: Summer to autumn
Plant Type: Frost-tender tuberous perennial
Supply Format: Dormant tuber
Position: Full sun to light afternoon shade
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich and free-draining
Planting Depth: Approximately 5–10cm
Plant Spacing: Approximately 60cm
Water Needs: Moderate during active growth
Frost Tolerance: Frost sensitive
End Use: Garden displays, large containers and cut flowers

Important Information

• The correct cultivar name is Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’
• The supplied product is a dormant tuber, not a flowering plant
• Tuber size, shape and appearance will vary naturally
• Tubers may arrive without visible shoots or roots
• Plant only when local growing conditions are suitable
• Avoid overwatering before shoots emerge
• Mature height and flowering time will vary with climate and care
• Flower colour may range from lavender-pink to mauve or mid-purple
• Blooms may appear more decorative or more ball-shaped under different growing conditions
• Individual flower size and colour intensity will vary naturally
• Example images show the expected mature flowers only

FAQ

Is the correct name ‘Shirley Yeoman’ or ‘Shirley Yeomans’?

The correct cultivar name is Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’. It was named after Shirley Yeomans, the wife of Victorian dahlia breeder Bob Yeomans.

What colour are Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ flowers?

The flowers generally display mauve, lilac, lavender-pink and soft-purple tones. The exact colour can vary with temperature, sunlight, climate and flower maturity.

Is ‘Shirley Yeomans’ a ball or decorative dahlia?

It is commonly described as a miniature decorative dahlia with an almost ball-shaped form. Depending on where and how it is grown, individual flowers may appear more decorative or more spherical.

How large are the flowers?

The compact flowers generally measure approximately 5–7cm across, although flower size may vary with growing conditions.

How tall does Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ grow?

Plants generally grow to approximately 1.2m tall. Final height will depend on climate, position, soil and care.

Will the tuber arrive flowering?

No. This product is supplied as a dormant tuber. The flower photograph shows an example of the expected mature bloom only.

Does Dahlia ‘Shirley Yeomans’ require staking?

Staking is recommended because the plant can grow approximately 1.2m tall and produces numerous flowering stems. Install the stake when planting to avoid damaging the tuber later.

Is it suitable for cut flowers?

Yes. ‘Shirley Yeomans’ produces compact, rounded blooms on useful cutting stems and is an excellent addition to bouquets and floral arrangements.