Dahlias
- Dahlias are one of the most popular and showy annuals in any garden. They come in white, yellow, orange, red, purple and bicolours.
- They are grown from tubers and are a little bit of work to get started but worth the effort.
- They prefer well drained
 that isn’t too rich in nitrogen. Dahlias require the full  .
- For medium size varieties, plant bulbs 2 feet apart (60 cm) after the last frost. Dig the hole 6 inches deep (15 cm) and set a stake 3 inches (8 cm) from the tuber. Cover it with 2 inches (5 cm) ofand water well.
- As the rhizome grows, add moreuntil the hole is filled.
- Stake
and tie the growing stems every 12" (30 cm).
- When the weather is dry,
 them well because new buds can’t grow through the toughened stems.
- Their size ranges between 1 to 5’ high (30 cm to 1.6m) depending on the variety.
- To make stronger, bushier plants pinch off the main leader once 3 sets of leaves have grown.
- For dwarf varieties, pinch the leader off a second time.
- For larger or show flowers, disbud all the side buds when they are about the size of peas. The remaining buds will grow bigger.
- Cut off any dead flower heads or they will stop new blooms from developing.
- Weed carefully so that you don’t damage the roots. Put down mulch when the plants are 18" high (45 cm) to keep themoist,
 and help to control weeds.
Dahlia rhizomes can be replanted for years if you save them properly:
- After the first light frost, gently (as they bruise easily) dig up the tubers leaving on 1" (3 cm) of the stem to ensure the plant has a growing eye.
- Brush the dirt off the tubers and hang them upsidedown outside on a sunny day or in an airy garage until they are dry.
- Store them in a box covered with peat moss, sawdust or vermiculite in aplace that stays above freezing but under 50°F (10°C).
- Label your Dahlias well if you have more that one variety and check on them during the winter in case any get damaged or start to rot.
- In spring, if you want to propagate them, let the rhizome sprout a little before carefully dividing it with a knife.
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