Originating from Central America and Mexico, Dahlias are known for their stunning blooms and incredible variety. Available in a wide range of sizes, colours and shapes, these versatile plants bring long-lasting colour to gardens from midsummer right through to the first frosts.
They make a perfect addition to any outdoor space, from cottage-style borders to tropical-inspired planting schemes.
How to Grow Dahlias
Dahlias are tender perennials, meaning they live for many years, but need protection in cold weather. They like sunny, sheltered spots and rich, free draining soil.
Growing in Containers:
- Choose a large pot, around 50cm wide and fill with peat-free multipurpose compost
- Plant one standard dahlia per container, or up to three smaller bedding dahlias
- Plant them at the same depth as they previously were
- Place containers in a warm, sunny and sheltered spot
- If planting root cuttings, set them slightly deeper than they were in their original container
Growing in the Ground:
- Plant outdoors after the last frost, usually in late May
- Harden off plants if they have previously been grown indoors
- Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure
- Space plants at least 60cm apart (2ft)
- Water thoroughly after planting, and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Care & Maintenance
In warm weather and dry spells, dahlias require regular watering. Water thoroughly at the base of the plant rather than little and often, particularly for dahlias grown in containers as they can dry out quicker.
To encourage healthy growth and flowering, feed dahlias regularly throughout the growing season with a high-potash fertiliser once buds begin to form. Removing faded and damaged flowers will also help to promote continuous flowering. Taller varieties may benefit from staking to support their stems and prevent damage from strong winds.
In winter, dahlias may need extra protection as they are not fully hardy. After the first frost, simply cut back the foliage, lift the dahlia tubers and store them somewhere cool, dry and frost-free until spring. In well-drained gardens in the South of England, it is often possible to leave dahlias in the ground during this time. To protect them, cut back the tops and cover them with a very thick layer of protective bark mulch. This acts as insulation and protects from some rainfall over the colder months.
Our Favourite Places to Plant Dahlias
With an incredible range of flowers forms, sizes and colours, dahlias can bring colour and character to any garden space.
As late-season bloomers, dahlias look particularly striking when combined with other plants that flower from midsummer into autumn, such as salvias and ornamental grasses. This creates colourful displays that last well into the season.
Dedicated dahlia beds are also popular. They are fast-growing plants that benefit from plenty of space, making them easier to water, feed and support throughout their growing season.
They can be used successfully in mixed borders, provided neighbouring plants are not allowed to crowd them.
Planting for Pollinator-Friendly Gardens
Dahlias are a fantastic way to add colour to your garden whilst also supporting pollinating insects. Although some highly double-flowered varieties have limited nectar and pollen, single-flowered and open-centred dahlias are particularly attractive to bees, hoverflies and butterflies.
Their accessible blooms provide an important food source during late summer and early autumn, when many other flowers are beginning to fade.
By including pollinator-friendly dahlias in your borders and containers, you can help create a wildlife-friendly garden that remains vibrant and full of activity. For the greatest impact, combine dahlias with other nectar-rich plants to provide a continuous source of food for beneficial insects.
Things to Look Out For
Dahlias are easy to grow and reward gardeners with months of colour, but they are a few things worth keeping an eye on. Young shoots can be attractive to slugs and snails, so protecting plants early in the season will help them get off to a strong start.
During hot, dry spells, powdery mildew can occasionally appear on the foliage. Regular watering and good airflow around plants will help to keep them healthy. Aphids may also be found on fresh new growth, but these are often controlled naturally by beneficial insects such as ladybirds and hoverflies.
When lifting and storing tubers over winter, ensure they are kept in a cool, dry and frost-free place to prevent rotting. If you are in an area in the South of England with well-drained soil, and are keeping your dahlias in the ground throughout the winter months, ensure you are covering them with a very thick layer of protective bark mulch so that they stay insulated and dry.
With the right care, dahlias are reliable and rewarding plants that will flower continuously from summer until the first frosts.
Why Choose Dahlias?
If you are looking for a plant that delivers colour from summer right through to autumn, dahlias are a fantastic choice. Their long-flowering season, alongside having a vast variety of colours and shapes makes them one of the most versatile plants you can add to your garden.
With varieties ranging from bold and vibrant to soft and subtle, there is a dahlia to suit every garden style. Explore our range of dahlias today at your local Tates of Sussex Garden Centre and find the perfect variety for your garden!
You can also check out our latest Plant of the Week feature on dahlias, available to watch on our YouTube channel.
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