Hello Dahlias

This year I have caught the dahlia bug! They are big and showy and make you so proud to have grown something so beautiful. I’ve given over my front (newly fenced in) veggie patch to grow them, although they’re actually edible, so I guess they fit right in next to my basil and spring onions. The flowers can be used as garnishes or added to salads (if that’s your thing) and the tubers can be cooked like potatoes. The original dahlias come from the mountainous regions of Mexico and Central America and are said to have been consumed by the Aztecs.

African Sunrise

Dahlias come in all shapes and forms. There are 42 different species and on top of that there are countless hybrids and cultivars. There are several different flower types - ball, pompom, cactus, decorative, orchid, single, waterlily (plus a few more), all in varying sizes. Some can get up to 20-30cm across!

Red dahlias from my neighbours grandmother

Dahlias die back over winter and then reshoot in spring from their tubers (if you don’t eat them…). Buying tubers is a common way to start your dahlia collection, you know what you’re getting because the flowers will be the same as last year, but dahlias can also easily be grown from seed. Grown from seed the outcome can be varied, but this is part of the allure. Due to the fact they crossbreed easily, breeders are always coming up with beautiful new hybrids - and you can even try it yourself!

Neon Rose

This year I have a few single dahlias grown from seed (‘Unwin’s bedding’), some beautiful red decoratives from a neighbour’s grandmother, a pink/peach decorative called ‘African Sunrise’ (my first breeder bought dahlia tuber!) and a pink cactus ‘Neon Rose’ that I bought as a markdown plant from the big green shed last year.

‘Unwin’s Bedding’ grown from seed. I love single flowers (one row of petals) because they give pollinators more access to the pollen. Look at it all spilling onto the bottom petals! Bee bonanza.

Dahlias love full morning sun and protection from the harsh afternoon rays. The taller varieties also do better with staking and protection from strong winds. Grow them in fertile, moist (but not waterlogged) soil. Be careful when planting out new tubers that they don’t get too wet and rot before they shoot (guilty!). In autumn when they die back, depending on your soil type you might be best to lift them and store them until next year.