Dahlia imperialis

The giant mother of all Dahlia, reaching up to about 4m in suitable conditions before flowering, though the large, pale-pink, single flowers are produced very late, in early winter, so frost free early winter conditions are needed to see them. Very hardy if mulched well, though in my experience doesn't need it at all over established, even through extreme cold. Huge foliage and thick stems a joy in themselves. This clone has flowered outside near here.