How To: Care for Growing Dahlias

From the summer to early autumn, Dahlias put on a glorious show of colour. Whilst they are showing off their brilliance, it is important to pay attention to them, so they can provide the same bright display as cut flowers in your home.

Dahlias are thirsty plants so they will require generous watering. Meanwhile, a weekly helping of a high potash fertiliser, such as tomato feed, will be much appreciated.

Regular deadheading will help prolong the flowering period of your Dahlias by encouraging more blooms. Check regularly for spent flowers, although similar they are more pointed than the rounded fresh buds. Simply follow the flower stem down and cut above the first pair of leaves.

Dahlias make a joyous and kaleidoscopic cut flower display. For the best results, start by choosing open flowerheads and cut the stems as far down as you can for your arrangement with clean snips.

Next, make a horizontal cut at the bottom of the stem and place the cut ends in about two inches of hot water for a few seconds, then immediately plunge into cold water. Known as 'searing', this treatment conditions the stems so that the blooms will last longer.

Finally, strip off any the leaves that will sit below the water line in your chosen vase (here we have used our fabulous Gluggle Jugs). Repeat for all your selected Dahlias and arrange together for a spectacular effect.