Talkback: My five favourite dahlias
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Thank you for the dahlia tips, we have beautiful cherry red and lemon yellow ones at the moment, in big pots on the patio. Such cheerful flowers.
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I'm sorry James, but I just don't like the big blousy Dahlia's that need staking, I have tried to, but I think these should only be grown on allotments by grumpy old men in cloth caps(Ha Ha).
You have to be a dedicated gardener to grow Dahlia's and be prepared to dig them up every winter after the first frost, I used to pot mine up and place them on their sides in the greenhouse ready to start back into life in early spring, however, despite my greenhouse being bubble wrapped, last winter was so bad most of my Dahlia's died including my beloved Bishop. So this year, to make sure, I will dry them off and store them in a box in the cupboard under my stairs until next spring, but I'll still be sowing more Dahlia seeds, you can never have too much of a good thing.
Gardenbabe: Hibiscus like sunshine.If you have Hibiscus syriacus then they are perfectly hardy in most parts of the country.
DahliaLover: Good for you. The big headed Dahlias work well in mixed planting where the surrounding plants and a bit of subtle staking keep them in place.
iloveflowerbeetles: Thank you for commenting, enjoy your plants.
James: the garden shed is a really bad place to keep tubers over winter, unless it is heated, as sheds and garages are not frost free and especially so with the intense cold of the last few weeks.
Over-wintering dahlia tubers is the most difficult aspect of growing these fabulous flowers. Too cold and they rot, too hot and they shrivel and dry out; 4 - 8 C is ideal. They should also be inspected regularly and any damaged parts removed. Dusting with flowers of sulphur is a good plan.
If you like Chat Noir you should try Black Wizard for its very dark, velvety centre. It is a semi-cactus so not so spikey petalled but a truly fabulous dahlia and very striking if planted with an orange such as Gwynneth.