Dahlias are one of my favourite tender perennials, their often striking colours and vibrancy create a real Summery feel. The beauty of the Dahlia is that they are very attractive to Bumblebees. As long as they are single or only semi double flowers the bees love them.
One of my favourites is Bishop of Llandaff.
Deep purple leaves and vibrant red flowers, makes a striking garden addition. Well worth growing and easy to keep from one year to the next. I simply place the pot that it is growing in indoors once a frost has touched the top turning it black.
Cut the dead stem off and keep the pot frost free so that it cannot penetrate the pot. A shed will do to protect it.
In Spring the shoots will be seen poking through the compost. Its time then just to remove the top 2" layer of compost and replace with fresh. But sprinkle some fertilizer first such as chicken pellets or other organic fertilizer, then cover with the fresh compost.
Bring into the light where it is protected from late frost and grow on. Put outside once all frosts have gone.
Additional fertilizer should be given about 2 months after the first either another organic granular form or a liquid feed given weekly such as homemade fertilizer brew, liquid manure, comfrey etc.
Enjoy
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