Collection: Dahlia Plants

The best time to plant your dahlias is after the last frost has passed, usually from mid to late spring, around May or June.

Dahlias need a position with full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a spot where they’ll get at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day in a border, bed or pots.

To plant a dahlia tuber, make a hole about 20cm deep and slightly wider than the tuber. Put the tuber in the centre of the hole with the growing part facing upwards and the bulbous roots downwards. Fill in with soil, leaving the growing part peeking out, and space your tubers at least 45cm apart if you’re planting more than one.

Give your dahlias a good watering straight after planting, then water them regularly throughout the season, taking care that they don’t get waterlogged.

It’s important to feed your dahlias to get the best flowers. Use a feed that’s high in potassium (potash) such as tomato feed, and apply it every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.

Most dahlia varieties have tall stems and large flower heads, so they’ll need support to prevent them breaking. You can do this by tying them to plant sticks or bamboo canes, or using grow cages around the plants.

Dahlias are long flowering plants, usually blooming from midsummer right through to the first frost in autumn.

If you remove the faded flowers, the plant will be encouraged to produce more. You can do this by cutting the stem just above a set of leaves or buds. Even better, don’t wait for them to die - cut them when they’re in full bloom and use them to brighten up your home.

If you live in a warmer part of the UK, you can probably get away with giving your dahlias a thick layer of mulch in the autumn, to keep their roots from freezing. Otherwise, you can keep them safe from the cold by storing them over winter. To do this, dig up the tubers after the first frost, cutting back the foliage and let them dry for a few days. Then store your tubers in a cool, dry place over winter and replant them in spring. Looking for inspiration? Take a look at Jenny’s dahlia garden!