Dahlia D a h lia
TH E R IC H P IN K o f this freshly opened dahlia w ill gradually
lighten to a delicate pale pink as the flower ages.
FEATU RES
Dahlias come in many different flower forms
and in a huge range of colours. Flower sizes
range from tiny pompoms less than 5cm (2in)
across to huge blooms 30cm (12 in) or more
wide, and they may be single, double or semi
double. Most home gardeners are content to
have a lovely garden display but there are
many enthusiasts who grow dahlias for
showing.
Dahlias are grouped into different classes
according to the shape and form of their
flowers, and classes include single, anemone-
flowered, collerette, waterlily, decorative, ball,
pompon, cactus and semi-cactus. There is also
a miscellaneous group for any other type not
covered by these classes. Plants can be
anywhere from 30cm (12in) to nearly 1.5m
(5ft) high. They have a long flowering season
from mid to late summer right through the
autumn. An ever-increasing range of bedding
dahlias can be grown from seed; they form
tubers which can be lifted and stored in the
normal way in autumn. Bedding varieties can
also be bought as growing plants in spring.
CON D IT IO N S
Aspect Dahlias prefer full sun all day with protection
from strong wind. The taller varieties need
staking.
Site Dahlias are especially suitable for the
herbaceous or mixed border, where they
provide very welcome late summer colour, but
they can also be grown as bedding plants or
D A H L IA
BICO LO U RED D A H L IA S have always had a strong following,
whether in small, neat forms or dinner-plate sized blooms.
the smaller varieties can be grown in
containers. Soil must be well drained and
heavily enriched with manure or compost.
Dahlias give best results in rich soil and are
heavy feeders.
G R O W IN G M E T H O D
Planting The tuberous roots should be planted
10-15cm (46in) deep with the neck
containing the sprouting eyes pointing up, in
middle to late spring. Spacing between plants
depends on variety set small growers about
30cm (12in) apart, very large growers
75-100cm (3040in) apart. The stakes and
labels should be put in at planting time to
avoid damaging tubers later.
Dahlia tubers can also be potted up in moist
compost in a warm greenhouse in early spring,
and cuttings taken of the shoots that arise
from the tubers. These can be potted up
individually and planted out in the garden
once the risk of frost has passed. This is a good
way to increase your stock of a particularly
prized variety.
Feeding Once flowering has begun, feed dahlias
monthly with balanced fertiliser, or apply a
high potash liquid feed every 14 days from
when the flower buds begin to form. Applying
a mulch of well-rotted garden compost will
also help to retain soil moisture. Water well
after planting tubers if the soil is dry, but
further watering is usually unnecessary until
after growth begins. During the growing and
flowering season, it is important to make sure
the plants never go short of water.
2 4 0 T H E C O M P L E T E B O O K OF G A R D E N F L O W E R S
THIS SH R U B -L IK E D A H L IA w ith its clear, scarlet flowers w ill give many months o f colour in the garden i f dead blooms are regularly removed.
Dahlias prefer a sunny corner o f the garden where they are protected from the wind.

Problems Dahlias are affected by a number of viruses, the reach of pets and wildlife. Earwigs can also
notably dahlia mosaic virus, which causes damage blooms, feeding mainly at night and
yellowing foliage and sometimes stunted causing ragged holes in petals or distorted
plants. It is transmitted by aphids. Spotted blooms. During the day they can be trapped in
wilt virus causes spots and rings on leaves; it is upturned pots stuffed with straw positioned on
carried by thrips and affects a range of plants. stakes amongst the plants.
Watch for thrips and aphids early in the season
and spray if necessary. Snails love dahlia foliage
and flowers so take care to control them. They F L O W E R IN G
will climb up into the plant and stay there: if
plants are being damaged, search for snails on Season The long flowering period lasts from mid
and under the leaves and destroy them, or use summer to the first frosts. Deadhead the plants
slug bait, making sure it is positioned out of regularly to prolong blooming.
Cutting Cut flowers early in the day, remove lower
leaves and scald stems for 1015 seconds
D a h l ia s at a g lan c e before arranging them. They are very long
Spectacular flowering plants giving four months of bloom. lasting in a vase.
Perfect for cutting, showing or garden decoration.
J an / R ecomm ended V a r ie t ies
A F T E R F L O W E R IN G
Feb / Bishop of Llandaff
M ar / Daleko Jupiter Requirements Tubers may survive in the ground for several
A pr plant ^ Firebird years if the soil is well drained, but in heavy
Glorie van Heemstede soils and in cold areas, they are better lifted in
M ay plant ^
Grenidor Pastelle late autumn. Cut off the stem 1520cm
J un / Hamari Gold (68in) above ground, dig up the clump
J uly flowering IT Jescot Julie carefully and shake off excess soil. Stand upside
A ug flowering s Kenora Fireball down to drain moisture from the stem, then
Sept flowering ' Wootton Cupid store in a cool, airy place such as a garden shed,
O ct flowering O lightly covered with sand, soil or peat, for
replanting next spring. Tubers can be divided,
Nov / but make sure that each section has a portion
D ec / of stem with a visible bud or eye the
tuberous root portion on its own cannot grow.

TH E C O M P L E T E B O O K OF G A R D E N F L O W E R S 2 4 1 D A H L I A