Low Growing Bedding Dahlias - Tuber

Your Dahlia tubers can be planted in the spring. Beware of frost as these low growing bedding Dahlias are not hardy. End of April to mid-May is the best time if planting in the garden. Prepare a large hole and improve the soil with well rotted garden manure. Carefully plant the Dahlia tubers about 30 cm apart and cover with 3-5 cm of soil. Press lightly down and water immediately. Dahlias bloom most profusely in a sunny spot.

To have your low growing bedding dahlias flower early, you can 'force' your tubers. Place them in moist compost at 15-20 °C from the start of April. Pot up as soon as shoots appear. Harden to the outdoors from the start of May and plant in the garden (or in pots) from mid-May.

The low growing bedding dahlias make excellent cut flowers and last for a very long time in a vase. They are also ideal for small arrangements. Best time to cut them is early morning. Plunge the stems immediately in a vase of luke-warm water containing cut-flower food.

These dahlias will bloom right through to the first frosts if you feed them monthly. Snip off overblown blooms to encourage reflowering. Make sure that the soil does not dry out during periods of drought, water more often.

It is easy to store Dahlias over the winter. Dig up the Dahlia tubers after the first frosts. Cut back to around 15 cm and label the plant to avoid mix-ups in the spring. Shake off excess soil and store in a tray with compost or sharp sand in a frost-free place. Plant up the following spring and you will be rewarded once again with more of their lovely flowers.