Native to Mexico, Dahlias were first brought to Europe towards the end of the 18th century by Spanish settlers who sent the plants to the botanic garden of Madrid. The plants get their name from 18th century botanist, Andreas Dahl, who looked after the plants once in Europe. Like many garden plants studied at this time, there was soon Dahlias in every size and colour but the Dahlia received particular merit thanks to their late summer blooms, typically flowering from June until the first winter frosts.
Unlike other garden plants, the range of Dahlias is unparalleled with some boasting flowers as large as dinner plates to more subtle dwarf varieties. Interestingly Dahlias are also available in every shade imaginable apart from blue and their ability to grow almost anywhere is also another reason for this plants popularity. The Dahlia is now a firm favourite amongst gardeners and the garden centres who supply them.
Types of Dahlia
Border and Bedding Dahlias are available to buy from most online garden centres and provide bright and long lasting colour to your borders and beds. Popular border varieties include the Dahlia 'Park Princess', Dahlia 'Melody Swing' and the Dahlia 'Playa Bianca', a variety that is particular popular as a cut flower. Pompon and Ball Dahlias also make an interesting addition to any garden and some of the more notable varieties include the Pompon 'Dahlia Golden Scepter' and Ball Dahlia 'Eveline' both of which make excellent border and cut flowers.
Other more decorative Dahlias include the Dahlia 'Garden Wonder' and the ever popular Dahlia 'Arabian Night'. The Dahlia 'Arabian Night' is an extremely beautiful Dahlia with large dark burgundy double flowerheads. The Arabian Night requires full sun in a sheltered area and protection from frost, slugs and earwigs but providing you feed and deadhead the plant regularly you should have flowers from early June until the weather turns frosty.
Perhaps the most popular of the Dahlia genus is the Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff', set off by its scarlet flowers and dark bronze foliage. Considered an old favourite by many gardeners the 'Bishop of Llandaff' is a popular bedding plant providing colour late into summer and even autumn. Like most Dahlias the 'Bishop of Llandaff' thrives in sunny positions away from the wind and loves well cultivated soil. Protection from frost and insects such as earwigs, slugs and aphids is required alongside adequate air circulation near the soil as this will help prevent powdery mildew damage. Suitable for planting from March onwards the Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' is also a very popular cut flower.
How to look after your Dahlias
If you are planning to grow Dahlias and have not so before you may want to prepare a selected spot in your garden for them, so start by working in some compost or manure and keeping the area as weed free as possible during the winter months ready for planting in the spring. When buying Dahlias from garden centres or nurseries you will typically receive dry tubers in early spring that can be planted straight into the garden or into pots depending on whether or not you plant to use the shoots for cuttings.
When planting Dahlia bulbs it is important to wait until the weather warms up slightly in early spring (March or April) as Dahlia tubers prefer to be planted in warmer soil. Plant the tubers about 15cm (6 inches) deep with the old stems pointing upwards remembering to position your plants in accordance with their expected height. Most commercial garden centres will indicate the approximate growth of a particular species to ensure that you position your new Dahlias in a spot that both complement them and the rest of your garden.
Dahlias prefer well-drained humus rich soil and ideally should be planted in a sunny spot although many species of Dahlia have received merit for their ability to grow almost anywhere. Because Dahlia tubers are surface feeders and do not send down long feeder roots it is important to plant in a position that is out of the wind as the tubers may be blown over by strong gusts of wind. Another alternative to prevent this from happening is to stake the Dahlia bulbs early on to ensure that the plant will not be blown away and that you don't damage the tuber when staking it later in its growth cycle.
Watering may not be necessary at the time of planting as the bulbs will begin to grow in the warmth and moisture of the soil however if we have had a particularly dry spring then watering the plants is a good idea. Once growth has begun you should water the plants every few days dependent on the weather. Other growing tips to consider with Dahlias are to be prepared for slugs, who love them. Most online garden centres will be able to help you with slug deterrents that are both effective and plant friendly.
Storing Dahlias
If you are planning to store your Dahlia bulbs prior to planting or through the winter months (which is recommended) you need to ensure that the tubers are not allowed to freeze but instead are stored in a room with a temperature of around 40°Fahrenheit. The room should be dark and have high humidity levels making a basement or root cellar ideal. Providing you check your bulbs regularly for rot or mould they should come through the winter month's well, ready for planting again in the spring.
To view the complete range of Dahlias available from leading online garden centre, Plant Me Now, Click Here
