How To Grow Dahlias from Gardeners Tips
Dahlia offer magnificent colour
Tips for Growing Dahlias
- Dahlias are an excellent plant, great for bold planting schemes. They are quick growing and provide an impressive display of colour late in the season.
- You can start growing Dahlias by buying tubers from garden centres and specialist mail order.
- They can be planted from March to April. You could just about try planting a tuber now (early May) for a late season show.
- Dahlias are tender so need to be kept under glass until all risk of frost has passed. For early season dahlias start in May and gradually harden off before planting out in late May / early June.
- Dahlias like the warmth, so a heated greenhouse would really speed up their growth.
- Pinching Out. To encourage bushy growth, pinch out the growing tips. You can also remove small spindly stems.
- For the biggest flowers, you can pinch out secondary blooms and put all attention into the one bloom. This is best for cut flowers, but, for a garden display, you don’t have to do this.
- Apart from some small low growing varieties, dahlias will need protecting. Stake them securely. it works quite well to have a triangle of stakes around the plant and then tie garden string around the plant.
- Dahlias are heavy feeders and like to be kept well watered, especially during the flowering season. If your soil is poor, try digging in lots of organic material for them. Also, once established, give a good watering and then a add a layer of mulch to keep water in.
Where to Plant Dahlias?
- Dahlias like a position in full sun. Ideally in a fertile, well drained patch.
- Don’t forget how big they grow. Plant between 2-3ft apart and give them space to flourish.
Dahlias in the Border.
- You could grow Dahlias in rows for cut flowers. However, they look great in the mixed border. They are ideal for those looking to go for bold planting schemes. see: bold planting schemes.
Dead Heading of Dahlias
- It is important to dead head Dahlias. It looks tidier and also encourages the Dahlia to continue producing blooms. We have had Dahlia blooms into late October in a good year.
Dahlia Pests
- The biggest pest we have found with Dahlia is the hungry earwig. They seem to love the taste of Dahlia petals. Unfortunately, they can leave your prize flowers looking like a patchwork quilt. As the flowers open, start a regular inspection for earwigs. If you’re not squeamish you can squash them with your fingers.
- To make it easy, try a few upturned plant pots with straw in. During the day, they tend to move into the straw where you can catch them!
Storing Dahlias
- If you have heavy frosts, then at the end of the season, Dahlias will need lifting and storing. Make sure to keep them dry and protect against fungal growth. Wrap in newspaper and check throughout winter for signs of fungal growth.
- If you have mild winters, you may well be able to leave them in the ground, with the addition of some straw/mulch for protection. In the spring, try putting a cloch over the tuber. (as long as you can remember where it was planted.)
It is always advisable to mark the spot of tubers.
Best Dahlia Varieties
Alstergruss Collerette
Arabian Night
Bishop of Llandaff
Fascination
Gerrie Hoek
Autumn Lustre
Black Five
Geerlings Jubilee
Jescot Julie
Requiem
Kenora Sunset
Inglebrook Jill
Related and note worthy
Dark leaved Bishop’s children Dahlias are looking very good as Autumn comes to an end. Children will be surprised the leaves are not green and the flowers remain so colourful read more