Melissa Anna Marijke Dahlia Tubers

• Variety: Melissa Anna Marijke
• Type: Decorative (small)
• Colour: Pinkish-violet upper petals with cherry-red undersides. Dark bronze foliage
• Flower size: 8 to 10cm across
• Height: 70cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Cutting: Yes. Two-tone effect adds interest to arrangements
• RHS AGM: No
• Sold as: Single tubers, hand-graded, Dutch first-class quality
• Plant outdoors: March to July, when soil reaches 15°C (typically May in most of the UK)
• Delivered: From March. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Melissa Anna Marijke: Dark Foliage, Two-Tone Petals, and a Name That Takes Some Saying

Melissa Anna Marijke has one of the longer names in the dahlia world, and one of the more interesting colour tricks. The upper sides of the petals are pinkish-violet, but flip a petal over and the underside is cherry-red. As the flowers nod and move, both colours flash, creating a two-tone effect that adds depth you don't get from a single-colour bloom.

The foliage is dark greeny-bronze, almost black, which sets off the vivid flowers to perfection. At 70cm with a compact 50cm spread, it's one of the shorter dahlias in the range, well suited to the front of a border or a pot. The 8 to 10cm flowers are produced freely from July to the frosts.

Where to Plant Melissa Anna Marijke

The dark foliage connects it visually to the Bishop series. Plant alongside Bishop of Llandaff (scarlet, dark foliage, 90cm) for a dark-leaved scheme with contrasting flower colours. Rocco (fuchsia pompon, 75cm) picks up the purple tones. Salvia and low Heuchera make natural companions.

Why Ashridge?

Our dahlia tubers are Dutch first-class quality, imported direct and hand-graded. We discard undersized tubers so you get a clump with viable eyes, ready to grow. Delivered by next-day courier from March, with our one-year plant guarantee, Feefo Platinum Service Award, and gardeners in Somerset on the phone. Browse the complete dahlia collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the two-tone colour work?

The violet upper petals and cherry-red undersides create a colour-shift effect as flowers move in the breeze. In a vase, you see both colours as the flowers open and relax. It's a subtle trick that photographs well.

Will Melissa Anna Marijke grow in a pot?

At 70cm it's one of the best dahlias for containers. Compact, manageable, and the dark foliage looks good even before flowering starts. Use a pot at least 25cm across. Our pots guide has the detail.

Does the dark foliage fade?

The dark bronze-green colouring holds through the season. It's most intense on young growth and slightly greener on mature leaves, but the overall dark tone persists. Full growing advice in our dahlia growing guide.