Dahlias are a gorgeous flowering plant for your outside space. They’re incredibly versatile and can be grown in borders, beds or pots. Decorative dahlias will add a pop of colour to your outdoors throughout summer and make for fabulous cut flowers in your home.

Plant your dahlia bulbs in spring once the risk of frost has gone. You can get your dahlias going inside from March, or plant them directly outside from May. Choose a warm, sunny and sheltered spot. You can plant your bulbs straight into the borders and beds, or pop them in a nursery pot. Plant them 10 cm deep with the stem facing upwards and around 45 cm apart so they have space to grow. 

Flowers will appear from June up until the first frost. Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers and feed your dahlias with a potash-rich fertiliser throughout the summer. Dahlias don’t enjoy the cold, so dig up the tubers after the first frost, clean off any loose soil and let them dry on a tray for a day or two. Throw away any unhealthy or rotting bulbs, then store the rest in a cool, dry place until the following spring.