Whether they are the size of a teacup or a dinner plate, dahlias are one of the most popular plants in the UK.
And that’s not surprising: they are still blooming now, and with a bit of luck you can even pick them until November.
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Hever Castle in Kent even has a Dahlia Weekend Special taking place next month – showing just how well they still flower in the autumn.
Val Bournegarden writer and vice president of the Hardy Plant Associationtold Sun Gardening, “There just isn’t another flower like it.”
She will be on display during the Dahlia Weekend on October 8 and 9.
She said: “When I was a child growing up in Southall, the Dahlia was one of the first flowers I ever saw. They’re like lollipops and so colourful. The Fifties were such a dull time, brown socks, brown shoes, brown coats, so I just fell in love with them.
“Back then they only appeared on the display window. People didn’t have them in their outdoor spaces.
“Now they have become really popular garden plants. There is no other flower that starts blooming in July and keeps blooming. And the more you pick, the more they keep blooming – until the frost hits them.
“Because of climate change, I’m picking them in November now! They might be a bit limp, but the rest is already packed.
TOP TIPS FOR GROWING DAHLIAS
Tips from head gardener Neil Miller to make dahlias grow longer
- Use chicken feed and Growmore to get them going. Rose food is a good alternative.
- Grow from tubers and not from seeds. You will get more flowers.
- . Water daily and remove dead flowers. New buds feel firm – do not cut them off.
- Plant the plugs in early April. In late April, place the overwintered tubers in compost, store in a greenhouse/window sill/polytunnel, water once a day. Do not harden off and plant when 30cm – 50cm high – the second week of June.
- Plant them randomly instead of color coordinated. If you plant them randomly it looks better.
- To attract bees, grow dahlias of the collar type.”
She added: “They are fantastic as cut flowers. Being South American, they respond to shorter days because they are used to that.
“They live at high altitudes and therefore don’t like long, hot days. But as soon as the nights get longer, they really come into their own.”
And when it comes to the question of whether to dig up the tubers in winter, Val adds: “I would advise people to dig them up because if you leave them in they will just keep getting bigger and if it’s one big mass of tubers they won’t flower as much.
“The great thing about dahlias is that bees love them and they produce seeds very easily. You can sow the seeds in March and you will have flowers in August.
“They are incredibly affordable, it’s no wonder they have become so popular.”
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ALSO THIS WEEK IN VERONICA’S COLUMN
Top tips, gardening news, offers and a competition to win an autumn hamper worth £400.
OFFER! Give your blooms a boost when you visit YouGarden.com – because they’re offering Sun Gardening readers £10 off their orders. It’s not just flowers – you might fancy their home-grown fruit and veg, bulbs, plants, shrubs and trees. And because they have their own large nursery in Lincolnshire, you know the plants are going to be decent. Visit www.yougarden.com/YGSAVE10 and enter the code YGSAVE10 at checkout. Alternatively, call 0844 502 0050 and quote YGSAVE10 at checkout. Calls cost 5p per minute plus your network access charge. For full terms and conditions, visit www.yougarden.com/YGSAVE10
TIP! It was World Bamboo Day on Thursday. Chris Bonnett, boss of Gardening Express, told Sun Gardening: “We urge gardeners to plant pollen-forming species that purify the air – don’t start a territorial war with the neighbours with invasive species.
WIN! One very lucky winner will win an Autumn hamper worth over £400 – thanks to Flying machine. You will take home a Flymo EasiWeeder worth £159.99, a Flymo EasiCut 450 hedge trimmer worth £137.09 and a Flymo EasiClear leaf blower worth £149. Complete the form to enter THIS FORM For more information and top tips visit www.thesun.co.uk/AUTFLYMO, or write to Sun AUTUMN FLYMO Comp, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Please include your name, age, email address or telephone number. Only for UK residents aged 18 and over. Ends 23.59GMT 05.10.24 Terms and conditions apply.
TO RESCUE! The leaves have started to fall. Collect them with these Robert Dyas grabbers for £14.99, or get them half price at £6.78 from Toolstation
THIS WEEK’S TASK Incredibly, it is time to plant Christmas hyacinths in pots or glasses. And for some, it is time to watch the weather forecast for frost.
TOP TIP If you are planting pansies for some winter colour, make sure you plant them closer together than you would in summer. They will then protect each other from the cold.
