Growing Guide: Dahlia Do’s and Don’ts

Welcome to the wonderful world of dahlias! Just like us humans, dahlias come in a wide variety of shapes, colours, and sizes, and we can't help but adore every single one of them. These gorgeous flowers add a touch of glory to any garden landscape and create the perfect backdrop for warm summer memories with loved ones. In this guide, we'll explore the essential do's and don'ts for growing dazzling dahlias, a true gem in the summer garden. 

Dahlia Do’s

• Dahlias are much like beach lovers, they can’t get enough of soaking in the sun. Shade at midday will, however, reduce their thirst, so do choose a morning sun and afternoon shade spot for the perfect balance.

• Do plant them in your mixed perennial border, for an impressive display. 

• Plant cuties like the top mix and terrace varieties in terracotta pots to decorate sun-soaked patios. 

• Once you’ve found your perfect spot for your new garden-dwellers, you’ll need to set them up by preparing their bed for a long and happy stay. If your soil contains too much clay, add sand and compost to improve its structure. You’ll also need to ensure that the soil is well-draining. 

• Loosen the soil to about 30cm and work in compost. 

• To plant these earthly treasures, dig a 12-14cm hole and tuck them in. Each tuber should be placed 15 - 40cm apart. This depends on the size of your tuber, so you’ll gauge the spacing once you have them in hand. 

• Water them every 3-4 days for 10 minutes when planted in the ground and every 2-3 days when grown in pots until you see water coming out the bottom of the pot.

• Keep your growing bulbs hydrated and mulch with compost to help retain moisture. 

• The locally-grown lovelies should be planted from mid-October to the end of November. Refer to this page for all the varieties this applies to. These will be delivered from October. 

• Decorate with dahlia! Do use their petals to dress up your summer salads and display cut stems in a variety of vases and vessels. Cutting encourages increased flowering. 

• Feed weekly with Hadeco Bulb Food. The plant will benefit greatly from feeding it with food regularly. You can also add bulb food to your soil before planting. 

Dahlia Don'ts

• When planting these earthly treasures, you may be wondering whether you should divide your tuberous root. The entire clump is the tuberous root and separating the tubers from the clump will be detrimental to the successful growth and flowering of your dahlia. Do not plant any broken tubers that have been separated from the crown. 

• We will be delivering imported dahlia, found here, from mid-August. Don’t wait to plant them. They need to be planted immediately, once you receive them. 

By following these do's and don'ts, you can create a beautiful and thriving dahlia garden that will fill your space with joy and delight. Embrace the diverse beauty of dahlias, and let them brighten up your world throughout the summer season. Happy gardening!