Dahlias: colourful eye-catchers in your garden
Dahlias steal the show in the garden with their vibrant colours and unusual shapes, from summer to the first frost. Whether you are experienced or just starting out, dahlias offer plenty of opportunities to brighten up your garden. In this article you will read about the most beautiful varieties and get practical tips on planting, care and overwintering. Discover why dahlias have been enchanting garden lovers for generations!
Dahlias in all colours, sizes & scents: choice over 20,000 varieties!
There are as many as 20,000 varieties of dahlias, each with unique shapes, sizes, colours & scents. Decorative dahlias have large, double flowers, such as the popular ‘Dahlia Cafe au Lait’ with its creamy hues. Pompondahlias are spherical and compact, ideal for small gardens. They happily stand out above the border. Cactus dahlias, in turn, stand out for their long, narrow and pointed playful petals.
For those looking for something special: anemone-flowered dahlias have a striking heart, while single-flowered dahlias are visited by bees & butterflies. Dahlias range from compact varieties for pots to tall 1.5-metre varieties for the back of the border. So there is always a dahlia to suit your garden!
Besides various shapes and sizes, the dahlia also comes in a particularly wide range of colours. From bright shades of red, pink and yellow to soft neutrals and deep, dark colours - there is a suitable dahlia for every garden. Whether you like a sleek, calming look or prefer a lush, colourful garden.
The dahlia has been wildly popular for ages. Whereas a while ago it was mainly associated with classic, old-fashioned gardens, it is now making a striking comeback - even among young gardeners.
Choose from a wide range of dahlia bulbs here!
Dahlia tubers planting and care: tips
Timing and preparation
How to plant dahlias
1. Dig the hole: the packaging of the tubers indicates how deep you should plant them. The general rule is about fifteen centimetres.2. Place the tuber with the growing tips facing upwards.
3. Keep 40-60 cm distance between tubers, depending on how big the dahlia flowers grow. Also the planting distance is always mentioned on the packaging.
4. Cover with 5-10 cm of soil.
5. Water sufficiently, but avoid wet soil so the tubers do not rot!
Water regularly when dry and apply mulch against drying out and weeds. Large dahlias need support, so place timely sticks or other plant supports on which they can lean and which will guide their stem upwards.
Growing Dahlias in pots? You can!
Don't have a garden, but do have a terrace or balcony? Then you can still perfectly enjoy the floral splendour of dahlias!
How to choose the perfect pot
Choose a pot that is certainly large enough - 30 to 60 cm in diameter - so that the dahlia has enough room to grow & flower. Make sure there are drainage holes in the pot to prevent the roots from rotting. After all, dahlias don't like wet feet! The bigger the pot, the happier the dahlias will be: they are less likely to dry out and have more nutrients available.Propagating dahlias on the windowsill
Are your green fingers itching and can't wait to get started with the tubers? Then you can plant them in a pot indoors from March. Make sure the potting soil goes just below the stem of the tuber - that's enough soil for the plant. Then give a splash of water and put the pot in a warm place, for example on the kitchen windowsill or in a heated conservatory. You hardly need to water the tubers now, until the first green shoots come peeping out.
Have you heard of ‘deadheading’?
No way, this has nothing to do with flowers headbanging to metal music! ‘Deadheading’ is simply removing spent flowers. By doing so, you energise the plant to produce new blossoms - so you enjoy rich blooms for even longer! Picking pleasure guaranteed!
Dahlias not only look great in your garden or on your terrace, but are also wonderful eye-catchers in a wildflower bouquet. So pick to your heart's content and enjoy the floral aroma in your home. Or put them in a nice carafe for a festive outdoor table! And rest assured: the more you pick, the more they bloom! The perfect excuse to regularly bring some flowers into your home or surprise someone with a bouquet you picked yourself!
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Overwintering dahlia bulbs
Dahlias are not hardy. Dig up the tubers after the first night frost to save them for next year. That way you will enjoy the same plants for years to come.
Harvesting and drying
Wait until the leaves have died off. Cut the stems to 10-15 cm above the ground. Then carefully dig out the tubers, remove loose soil and check them for damage. Let them dry for a few days in a cool, dry place. Then you can store them in a cardboard box with newspaper or plastic crates with dry material. As long as they look dry.Label the tubers so you remember which varieties you have next year and store them at 5-10 °C in a frost-free place. Check the tubers occasionally and remove any diseased ones. In spring, you can divide and replant large tubers for a new season of flowers!
More tips for making your garden bloom? Then be sure to read these blogs!
- Flower bulb guide
- Hydrangeas: a wealth of flowers in the garden
- Geranium, a real top plant!
- Summer flower care
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