The DAHLIA buds of May

From Christmas to May, dahlias are energetic extroverts, pushing against the coming of winter 'til the bitter end. And they're brilliant indoors!

- GRAHAM ROSS

An autumn harvest of autumn colours makes for autumn glory!

It's that time of year when you may be disinclined to take your regular leisurely stroll through your garden, with the cooler weather encouraging indoor activities. So bring your garden inside with autumn-flowering dahlias. There are hundreds of cultivars and hybrids, and their colours range from white through to radiant reds, vibrant yellows and oranges, soft creams and apricots, and even deepest purple-black. The flower shapes are just as wide-ranging and amazing, from pompons to anemones and cactus to orchid impersonations. They grow in garden beds and pots you can keep close to your back door so it's just a quick nip outside to snip and style!

HOW TO GROW DAHLIAS

You can grow these shrubs from seeds, but you end up with a random result. For flowers that meet your colour and shape demands, buy and plant tubers instead.

PLANTING

Make sure the tubers have eyes - this is the growing point. Lay them horizontally with eyes up, about 15cm into the soil. Plant in late spring. It takes about 6-8 weeks from planting to flowering, which will last well into autumn. Once established, in cool climates dig up tubers in winter and store in a cool, dry, dark place before replanting in spring. In temperate climates they can stay in the ground.

SOIL

Dahlias prefer rich, well-drained soil. If drainage is a problem, plant in a raised bed or container.

CLIMATE

Coolto temperate.

ASPECT

Full sun but sheltered from winds, as stems can snap when it's breezy.

WATER