Better_HomesandGardensAustralia-February_2017

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Dahlia

Dahlia ‘Jessica’

There are few flower displays that beat

dahlias for summer splendour. These

perennial plants grow from tubers and

come in almost every colour (except blue)

and an array of shapes in the likeness

of peonies, daisies, pom-poms, lilies,

orchids and cacti! Their blowsy flowers

are happy in garden beds, pots or vases.

Grow it

Plant dahlia tubers in late winter or

early spring in an open, sunny spot – at

least six hours of sun a day is ideal.

They will grow happily in most soil

types providing they’re well drained.

If you want wonderfully large blooms,

the key is adequate feeding – use a

fertiliser which is high in potassium and

phosphorus but lower in nitrogen.

Picking tip

When choosing

blooms for indoors,

make a cut just above

a set of leaf nodes

and side buds. New

shoots will grow from

these nodes. Place

stems in a vase with

warm water for an

hour, conditioning

them to last four to

five days! Then place

in room-temp water.

Dahlia sp.

When cutting dahlias

for a table display,

keep a little of the

greenery on the

stems to balance

out the bold blooms.

Place in a vase

and delight in their

stunning colour!

Photography GAP Photos/Friedrich Strauss

18 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, FEBRUARY 2017 bhg.com.au