Description

Dahlias add wonderful summer colour and vibrancy to gardens and containers due to their lovely, lush spring foliage in various colour tones and dazzling flower styles. They range in height from the mini Bambino types only 20cm tall through to the towering tree giants of 3 to 4 metres. Flower size also varies from miniature collarettes only 3cm in diameter to the enormous exhibition dinner plates over 30cm wide. Flower styles vary from golfball to cacti to decorative to waterlily to anemone etc. They will grow well in full sunny locations from sub-tropical to cool climatic regions with some protection in winter for the tubers from frost.

Cultivation

Choose an open, sunny, location without strong drying winds and protection from early autumn frosts. Dahlias tolerate a wide range of soils, but their site must be cultivated deeply and have a high organic content. A moist but definitely free draining soil is a must, as is available summer watering. Prepare the growing site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone, rich compost or well decayed animal manure prior to planting out.

Tubers should be planted so that the growing “eyes” at the base of the old stems are just below ground level. Plant them approximately half their known growing height apart and it is advisable to place a stake beside the taller growing varieties to support them. When the tubers sprout, a thick layer of mulch should be spread over the growing area to assist moisture retention and suppress weed growth. Plants will respond well to a seasonal side dressing of complete fertilizer or several applications of a weak liquid fertiliser throughout the growing season. Ensure that the soil is kept moist at all times. If required, new shoots can have their growing tips pinched out to encourage a dense, compact habit. Protect them from aphids, spider mites, snails and slugs.