Plant dahlia bulbs now and you’ll be able to immerse yourself in their enchanting beauty this summer. Be sure to wait until after the last frost before getting started.
Sea of flowers
Dahlias come in a wide range of colours, heights and shapes. Mix different varieties together to enjoy a spectacular sea of flowers later this year. They also grow well in pots. You can plant them a bit earlier, keep them in a frost-free location and then put them outside or transplant them. This gives them a good head start.
Sun-worshippers
Dahlias are real sun-worshippers, so no spot is too sunny for planting. A little shade is okay but too much will lead to less prolific flowering and the plants may droop a bit. Any soil type is suitable provided it contains sufficient nutrients (if not, fertilisation is recommended) and is sufficiently well-drained.
Easy planting
Planting can be done after the last night frost. Use a trowel to dig a large enough hole to accommodate the bulb comfortably. Plant them about 10 centimetres deep so you can add a few more centimetres of soil. If there is still an old stem, it is fine to let it emerge above the ground. Tamp the soil gently. Planting distance should be from 30 to 40 centimetres. They can be closer together if planted in a pot. If necessary, add some organic fertiliser. Water them during dry spells so that the soil always remains slightly moist. Green shoots will appear after a few weeks. This is then followed by the flower buds from which the beautiful blooms soon emerge and continue flowering well into autumn!
Tips
- Use bamboo stakes to support taller dahlias.
- Put dahlias from your garden in a lovely vase or give them as personal gifts.
- Deadhead spent flowers so the plant can spend all its energy on the new flower buds.
