Dahlia dahling (Dahlia)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Dahlia
Date:	30/05/09 (71 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: bright ,bold flower

Disadvantages: none

Dahlia , dahling

I thought I would write about the Dahlia. I personally am no over keen on Dahlias but my mum was and I would often receive them as a gift from her.
Dahlias originate from Mexico. They are from the family Compositeae the daisy family.

If you grow dahlias in your garden beds then it's really time to plant them now, late May early June after the frosts. Dahlias grow well in patio pots too
The dahlia likes a rich soil which retains water no good on my chalk garden soil really.

There are various species and a variety of colour's, reds, pinks , oranges ,yellows They will flower July to October. You should be able to buy Dahlias ready for planting from garden centre. You can grow them from seed, cuttings or root division. Dahlias grow from a tuber (thickened underground stem) I can just remember dad digging them up and saving them in a frost free shed over winter . Dahlias do not like frost.

You can get small species growing 30cm tall, or tall species growing 300 cm tall . The flowers range from tiny ones to those 30 cm in diameter.
Dahlia flowers can either be single or double depending on the species. The petals are waxy and slightly pointed. They are a bright colour.

Dahlias are good as a cut flower last ages indoors mum often used to have a vase full.

Summary: A summer flowering plant