In just a few short months, we’ll be awash with dahlia fever as these stunning flowers start to pop and bring vibrant colors and intricate petal designs to gardens across the UK. It is commonly thought that dahlias can only be grown in beds but with the rise of container gardening we have seen they’ll thrive in pots, making them perfect for patios, balconies and small spaces but also allowing those with more space to be flexible with varieties and colours from year to year - not to mention being much easier to dig up at the end of the season.
So if dahlias are a Summer flower then why are we talking about them now? Well because now is the perfect time to purchase and plant your dahlia tubers and we’re here to help with our Tom’s Yard Guide to Dahlia growing in pots.
Choosing the Right Pot
Usually the experts say not all dahlias are suited for container gardening, with compact and dwarf varieties having the best success and this is usually due to the size of pot not being adequate enough to support. However as you know we don’t do small at the Yard (Well we do now, but hey!). Opt for larger, deeper pots and this will give the dahlias weight and support as they grow taller, some of them up to 90cm! Small pots won’t give the roots or the flower support or room to flourish and the plant will quickly become top heavy causing it to tumble.
Of course, once again, terracotta is better than plastic when choosing your pot, not only because they look classic and elegant but because they allow better airflow to the roots. Pretty and practical.
Planting and Caring for the Dahlia Tubers
- Don’t overcrowd the pots, dahlia tubers need room to grow, so if you’re planting in a 40cm pot we recommend one tuber.
- Fill the pot with compost so that you have the width of the tuber left.
- Position the tuber on the soil so that the stem and eyes are pointing up and the tubers are below.
- Cover with soil, leaving the ‘stem’ above the soil and the tuber buried beneath
- Place the pot in a warm, sunny location (at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day).
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Water consistently, but avoid overwatering. The soil should be moist, not soggy.
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Once the plant starts growing, feed every 2-3 weeks with a liquid fertilizer - Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they promote leafy growth instead of flowers.
💡 Tip From The Yard: Don’t water excessively after planting—dahlias don’t like soggy soil and the tubers will rot. Dahlias originate in Mexico so are drought tolerant plants.
Supporting Your Dahlias
Tall or large-flowered dahlias are likely to need staking to prevent stems from breaking. This can occur if we have strong winds, or the stem breaks under the weight of the flowers. Bamboo is a great stake to use but you can also use other supports to suit your tastes and aesthetics. When staking don’t forget to tie the stems loosely to whatever you’re using.
Keeping the Dahlias looking Fab-u-lous - Deadheading & Pruning
In the early stages of growth, pinch off the top growth to promote bushier growth and therefore more flowers!
Remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage continuous blooming through the season. Removing the dead flowers will divert energy back into the plant to make gorgeous new blooms.
It’s also a good idea to trim back any weak or overcrowded stems to promote healthier growth.
Our Tom's Yard Top Picks
There are so many gorgeous dahlias out there that is nearly impossible to choose a favourite but here are three varieties we're planting this year.
Dahlia 'Espacio' - This dahlia has the softest lilac tones and is a perfect dahlia for cutting and bringing inside to enjoy as well. Perfect for those working to a pastel colour palette.
Dahlia 'Red and White Emperor' - If you like to grow statement pieces in your garden and things that go against the 'norm' then this dahlia is perfect for you. It very much reminds us of a strawberry sundae and is just glorious. Perfect for pollinators as well as with it's open centre.
Dahlia 'Wizard of Oz' - This is a pompom variety and it's easy to see why with it's tight petals forming into a pompom shape flower. A beautiful pink that will compliment pretty much any colour palette you have.
And that’s all you need to know for Spring planting Dahlia’s for Summer colour and we’ll leave overwintering your precious tubers for another day.
Happy growing every one and don’t forget to share your pots in bloom with us on Instagram @toms_yard
