Dahlia - La Belle Epoque
Tuber·Dahlia·1 tuber
- Pre-order - delivery spring 2027
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Description
A decorative dahlia with softly rounded flowers in warm tones of caramel, honey, dusty pink, and antique apricot.
The color changes with the light, shifting from soft rosé in the shade to a deeper bronze-like glow in the evening sun. Each flower feels unique, as if it carries traces of both summer and autumn in its petals. The flowers are about 10 to 12 cm in diameter and are borne on sturdy stems that reach approximately 100 cm in height. The variety originated in the Netherlands and is the result of careful breeding to create that rare color balance between warmth and softness. La Belle Epoque is Erik Hoekstra's favorite dahlia. Every summer, he interplants it with the Fairway Pilot variety in his sunny bed on the south side, a combination that highlights the colors of both varieties at their very best. The warm apricot glow of La Belle Epoque brings out the creamy, candyfloss pink tone of Fairway Pilot, and together they create a dreamy interplay in the flowerbed that has become a staple in Erik's garden every summer.
Care and cultivation advice
Delivery and shipping information
Pre-order - delivery spring 2027
You order and pay now, and we send the item as soon as it is in stock.
If you also buy items that are in stock, you choose at checkout: either we send the whole order once the pre-order item is in stock, or you get the items in stock right away for an extra shipping fee and the pre-order item is sent later.
If you want to change or cancel a pre-order before it has been sent, email us at hello@flo-rea.com.
All orders received before 12:00 will be shipped the same day. We will send your seeds directly to your mailbox via Postnord. For orders with bulbs, tubers and larger products, we will send to a Postnord agent, to a parcel box or home delivery via Instabox. Your delivery will arrive 48 hours after we receive your order.
We carefully pack the seed bags in 100% plastic-free climate-compensated packaging. In addition, we also choose to climate-compensate all our deliveries. We do this by donating to a project that focuses on the Swedish forest and its diversity.
Dahlia - La Belle Epoque
Reviews
Why we started Florea
Florea grew out of a feeling that something was missing. We couldn’t find anyone online who truly inspired people to grow in a way that felt modern or relevant. It was either very technical or felt a little dated. To us, gardening has always been so much more: something emotional, creative and inspiring.
We wanted to show that gardening is about more than plants. It’s about the feeling of creating something yourself, the calm it brings and the positive effect it has on both body and mind. We felt that side of gardening wasn’t really being given the space it deserved.
What Florea stands for
In a world that keeps moving faster, where more is being automated and AI is always part of the conversation, we feel a strong need to hold on to what makes us human. Growing something yourself is a simple but powerful way to do that.
We often come back to our phrase “Fabrique moi même”, which to us means “created by me”. It captures the heart of what we believe: that the most meaningful things are often the ones you create yourself, even if they’re small or not quite perfect.
A family legacy since 1940
Florea was founded in 2020 by Erik Hoekstra, son of Johannes Hoekstra and grandson of Georg Hoekstra. The company is rooted in a family tradition where gardening and flowers have always been a natural part of life.
It all began with Georg, who grew up among the flower fields of Lisse in the Netherlands. After the Second World War, he began exporting flower bulbs to Scandinavia. Johannes later took over the business, and Erik grew up helping out in the family’s flower fields.
Through Florea, Erik wants to carry on his family’s love of gardening and help more people discover the joy of growing their own flowers, herbs and vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
It is completely fine to have questions, and none of them are silly. We have tried to answer most of them here. If there is anything else you are wondering about, just chat with us or email hello@flo-rea.com.
Bulbs, tubers and roots
When should I plant bulbs and tubers?
Autumn bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and alliums are planted in autumn before the ground freezes. Frost-tender tubers such as dahlias are planted out in spring once the risk of frost has passed, but can be started indoors a few weeks earlier. The right planting time and depth are on the product page.
My tuber looks dry and wrinkled. Is it bad?
Bulbs, tubers and roots are delivered dormant, so they can look dry and wrinkled. That is normal. As long as they are firm and not soft or rotten, they will grow. On dahlias it is important that the crown with its eyes is intact, as that is where the shoots come from. If your tuber is soft, rotten or mouldy, take a photo and email us at hello@flo-rea.com and we will send a new one or refund you.
There are no roots or shoots. Is that normal?
Yes. Bulbs and tubers are dormant when delivered and only start growing once they are planted and get moisture and warmth. Some varieties take several weeks before the shoots appear.
How do I plant a root, such as a peony?
Roots are delivered dormant and should be planted as soon as possible after delivery. Soak the root in lukewarm water for a few hours before planting. Pay attention to the depth: peonies planted too deep may struggle to flower. The correct planting depth is on the product page.
How should I store bulbs and tubers before planting?
Keep them cool, dry and airy, for example in a paper or mesh bag. Avoid plastic bags, as moisture can make them go mouldy. Plant them as soon as you can.
I bought a mix. Which bulb will be which colour?
In a mix, you cannot tell from the bulb or tuber which colour it will be. The colours only show when they flower. The pictures show an example of how the mix can look, and the proportion of each colour may vary.
Will it flower in the first year?
Most bulbs and tubers flower the same season they are planted. Peonies and some other perennials supplied as roots often need two to three years to establish before they flower well.
Delivery and shipping
How much is shipping, and when is it free?
Shipping costs and free shipping thresholds depend on your country and on whether your order contains only seeds or also bulbs and tubers. You will see the exact shipping cost at checkout before you pay. You can read more in our shipping policy.
How does it work if I buy both seeds and bulbs?
If your order contains both seeds and bulbs or tubers, the shipping rate for bulbs and tubers applies to the whole order. You will see the cost at checkout.
How do your pre-orders work?
A pre-order means that you order and pay for the item when you shop, and we send it once it is in stock. The estimated delivery is shown on the product page. You pay straight away because we reserve your item from a limited quantity that we order in ahead of the season. If you want to change or cancel a pre-order before it has been sent, email us at hello@flo-rea.com.
What happens if I buy an item in stock and a pre-order item?
You choose at checkout: either we send the whole order once the pre-order item is in stock, or you get the items in stock right away for an extra shipping fee and the pre-order item is sent later. The estimated delivery for the pre-order item is shown on the product page.
When will my order arrive, and on which days do you ship?
All orders placed before 12:00 on a weekday are shipped the same day. We also pack orders at weekends, but carriers only collect from our warehouse on weekdays. Delivery outside Sweden normally takes 3-6 working days.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Get in touch as soon as possible with your order number. As long as the order has not been packed, we can change the delivery address, pickup point or shipping method, or cancel the order completely. Once the order has been packed it unfortunately cannot be changed, but you can return the items under our 30-day right of return.
I did not collect my parcel in time. What happens now?
Parcels that are not collected within the pickup point's time limit are returned to us. Contact us with your order number and we will help you get the order sent again.
The item is sold out. When will it be back?
Click "Notify me" on the product page and enter your email address, and you will get an email as soon as the item is back in stock. Seeds that have sold out usually come back in early December, in time for the next season.
Guarantee, returns and complaints
What does your germination guarantee mean?
Simply put, if a product you bought from us does not germinate, whether it is a seed, a tuber or a flower bulb, you get either a new product free of charge or your money back. We need no proof other than your word.
A bulb or root was bad or did not come up. What should I do?
Contact our customer service and you will get a new product or your money back.
Can I return seeds and bulbs?
You always have a 30-day right of return with us. If you want to return your products, contact our customer service and we will help you.
How do I contact customer service, and how quickly do you reply?
You can chat with us here on the website by clicking the chat icon at the bottom left, or email us at hello@flo-rea.com. The chat is open around the clock and can help with 80-90% of all queries. If it cannot answer your question, a person will always reply within 24 hours.