Gardening tips: how to grow dahlias

16:08:20 31st August 2010

Dahlias are a popular feature in many gardens - one expert has offered advice on how best to grow and care for them.

Val Bourne at the Telegraph stresses that dahlias thrive on the sun, whereas the slightest frost can cause them to not grow at all. Therefore, she suggests avoiding planting these before early June.

This is contrary to the common practice of leaving tubers in the ground, which she suggests has come about due to recent warmer winters; however, it will ensure the plants survive the cold.

Cuttings can be made once the plants reach three inches in height.

Recently, Dan Pearson at the Observer noted that new life can be injected into gardens by pruning, thereby encouraging foliage to flourish. He warns, however, that gardeners must ensure plants are strong enough to cope with this first.

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