A touch of the tropics for every garden
Many people are unsure about how to grow dahlias, so I’ve put together an easy guide to help new gardeners. I’m going all out for dahlias, not just the little single Bishop’s Children I’ve grown from seed in previous years.
Dahlias have undergone a complete transformation in status over the past few years. They’re no longer confined to show experts grown solely for the early autumn traditional flower shows or in a cut flower bed. Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is an amazing showcase for the flowers. Here are the reports for 2021 and 2022.
This is what put me off for so many years – huge, fake-looking blooms standing alone in a vase in a marquee. How do you grow dahlias in a natural setting? The answer is in a tropical-style planting scheme. Here, the flowers look right at home with big-leaved plants such as palms and cannas, which is how I’m going to use my new arrivals.
Hopefully, as good as the name
My three varieties were part of a Chocolate Orange selection from the RHS. They tone in with the hot oranges, purples, and yellows that the bed will contain. Here are the varieties. All like full sun, fertile, humus-rich soil and flower from July until the first frosts:
- Jescot Julie: Each petal has a burnt orange upper surface and a rich plum base and looks sensational when mixed with deep, blood reds and dark golden tones. Growing up to 8cm across, the flowers appear in small clusters on the upright stems. Height 75cm.
- Arabian Night: Fully double, dark wine-red flowers with slightly incurved petals. Under certain light, the petals appear almost black. Height 1.2m.
- New Baby: A ball-type flower which opens tangerine, deepening to vermillion, contrasting well with rich plums and purples. The colour intensifies as they mature. Height 80cm.
Potted guide: how to grow dahlias from tubers
- Dahlia tubers can be planted directly outside after frost or started in pots under glass in late
Winter to early spring (my choice). - Plant them horizontally approximately 5″ deep, making sure the ‘eyes’ are uppermost.
- Allow enough room between each tuber so the plants can grow and spread to their full size without being overcrowded (if planting directly).
- While growing dahlias, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September.
- Stake with canes or brushwood if you live in a windy spot or the flowers are heavy.
- After the first frost has blackened the foliage, lift and clean the tubers and allow them to dry naturally indoors. Then place the dry tubers in a shallow tray, just covered with slightly moist potting compost, sand or vermiculite and store in a frost-free place until next spring.
I’d advise anyone to take a look at Halls of Heddon’s Nursery, a North East England institution and master dahlia growers. Visit www.hallsofheddon.com.
