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Few flowers make a statement quite like dahlias. With their dazzling colours, extraordinary flower forms, and impressive flowering season, it’s easy to see why Growing Dahlias has become one of the UK’s most popular gardening trends.
From compact patio varieties to towering dinner-plate blooms, dahlias provide months of colour from midsummer right through to the first frosts. Whether you’re creating a vibrant border, filling containers, or growing flowers for cutting, dahlias reward gardeners with an unforgettable display.
Dahlias have become increasingly popular with gardeners thanks to their incredible range of colours, shapes and sizes. From compact patio varieties to giant dinner-plate blooms, they provide months of colour from midsummer right through until the first frosts.
Benefits of growing dahlias include:
👉 Expert Tip: The more flowers you cut and deadhead, the more blooms your dahlias will produce throughout the season.
One of the greatest joys of Growing Dahlias is the incredible choice available.
Large, fully double blooms perfect for borders and cutting gardens.
Distinctive spiky petals create dramatic architectural displays.
Perfectly rounded blooms that add structure and charm.
Excellent for wildlife-friendly gardens and pollinators.
Huge blooms often reaching 20-30cm across.
Popular varieties include:
Limited on space? No problem. Dahlias thrive in containers and are a fantastic choice for patios, balconies, courtyards, and smaller gardens. With the right pot and a sunny position, you can enjoy months of spectacular blooms without needing a large border.
Choose:
Smaller and dwarf varieties perform exceptionally well in containers and can flower continuously for months.
Regular watering is essential because container-grown dahlias dry out faster than those planted in borders.
If you have more space available, dahlias also perform brilliantly in beds and borders. Planting directly into the ground allows larger varieties to reach their full potential and produce spectacular displays.
For the earliest flowers, start tubers indoors in February or March. Alternatively, plant directly outdoors once the risk of frost has passed, usually from late April onwards. Dahlias are surprisingly forgiving and can still be planted successfully into June, making them an excellent choice for filling gaps in borders and containers later in the season.
Before planting:
Keep the compost or soil lightly moist but never waterlogged, as overly wet conditions can cause tubers to rot before new growth appears.
Once the danger of frost has passed, dahlia tubers can be planted directly into borders and beds. Dahlias perform best in a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil, where they can develop strong roots and produce an abundance of flowers throughout summer and autumn.
Choose a location with:
When planting dahlia tubers outdoors:
👉 Pro Tip: Always install supports before planting. Adding canes later can damage developing tubers and roots underground. As plants grow, tie stems loosely to the supports to prevent wind damage and keep flower-laden stems upright.
Proper care ensures continuous flowering throughout summer and autumn.
Dahlias dislike sitting in water but require consistent moisture during active growth.
Water:
For the best blooms:
When plants reach around 40cm tall:
This encourages bushier growth and significantly more flowers.
Remove faded flowers regularly to keep plants producing fresh blooms right until autumn.
Slugs and snails can be particularly troublesome when young shoots emerge.
To protect your plants:
Other occasional pests include aphids and earwigs, which can usually be managed through regular monitoring.
👉 Expert Tip: Newly emerging dahlia shoots are particularly attractive to slugs and snails, so check plants regularly during the first few weeks of growth. Don’t panic if you spot a few chewed leaves though. Established dahlias are surprisingly resilient and can quickly outgrow minor pest damage once vigorous growth gets underway.
Dahlias are among the most productive cut flowers available.
Benefits include:
For best results:
Many growers dedicate entire borders to dahlias for cutting throughout summer.
Because dahlias are not fully frost hardy, gardeners often debate whether to lift or leave tubers over winter.
After the first frost:
Lifting tubers also allows you to divide mature clumps and create more plants for the following season.
In milder areas, tubers can sometimes survive winter outdoors if protected properly:
Leaving tubers in the ground can save time and effort, but success often depends on local weather conditions and good soil drainage.
If you’re planning a colourful summer display, dahlias pair beautifully with many other summer-flowering bulbs and tubers to create months of continuous colour.
With the right care, regular feeding, and plenty of sunshine, dahlias will reward you with months of breathtaking colour from summer until the first frosts. Their versatility, beauty, and reliability make them one of the most rewarding plants you can grow.
Ready to start Growing Dahlias in your own garden?
Our garden centre stocks a fantastic range of quality dahlia tubers, flowering plants, composts, fertilisers, and gardening essentials to help you achieve spectacular results. Our team is always happy to offer expert advice on choosing varieties, planting, and ongoing care.
Visit us in Kington today and discover our beautiful range of dahlias, perfect for adding months of colour, pollinator appeal, and stunning blooms to your garden.
