Typical of old-style English cottage gardens, dahlias are among the gardener's favourite plants. Their fine displays, under keenly staked conditions, bring extra colour to late summer and early autumn gardens.

There are many different groups of dahlias from which to choose, including shorter bedding dahlias, pompoms, balls, cactus, decorative and peony varieties. They all have different merits and different colours that can be used in garden design.

Growth is from tubers that can be divided for increase. The tubers need to be lifted and stored in a dry location away from frosts during the winter period, or left in the ground and covered with leaf litter where frosts are occasional.

Interested in finding out more about Dahlias? Visit The National Dahlia Society and The National Dahlia Collection online.

Looking Good:
Look for the dahlia trials at Golden Acre Park, Bramhope, Leeds, Yorkshire during July, for more information see the Leeds Urban Countryside Guide.


Best With:
Usually by themselves but can be mixed with Purple Orach (Atriplex) or Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis).