Planting Dahlias in Pots: In Spring pot up undercover and place somewhere with sufficient sunlight and frost-free. Avoid over watering. Pinch out growing tips at 20cm and plant out after last frosts.

Planting Dahlia in Ground: Alternatively plant straight into the ground after the danger of frosts has passed. They prefer to be in a sunny location and spaced at approximately 45cm apart.

Growing Dahlia from Seeds: Dahlia seeds should be sown between February and April undercover. Sow 0.5cm deep in trays of moist compost. Place in a warm position, about 15-20°C (60-68°F). Keep moist but avoid overwatering. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to deeper trays or individual small pots. Grow on in cooler, but frost-free location. Gradually harden off young plants before planting out after the risk of frost has passed.

• During the growing season (Summer) add dahlia fertiliser once a month.

• All dahlias need regular deadheading, which will promote flowering.

• All dahlias should be staked, as they can easily break at the base in heavy wind or rain.

• Dahlias prefer moist soil. In dry weather water once a week with a good soak. If Dahlias are in pots water them every day during the dry season.

• During the growing season slugs and other pests love to nibble on dahlia leaves and blooms (especially seedlings). Ensure you protect them in order for them to survive.

• If you experience extreme cold wet weather during the Winter, dig up your dahlias and store them in a cool dry area.

Dahlias are some of the easiest and lowest maintenance garden plants you can grow. They come in different sizes, colours and varieties, with each Dahlia tuber producing dozens of flowers in one season.  They are easy to grow from tubers or seeds. A Summer Garden is not complete without dahlias and we have a wide range of dahlia plants to suit all colour schemes and garden sizes. Dwarf varieties are perfect for containers and dahlias that grow over 100cm are perfect for cut-flowers.