Byzantine Dahlias Collection

Plant your dahlias in the springtime in soil that has been deeply tilled and enriched, for example, with crushed horn or dehydrated blood. Place your tuber and crumble the soil well to fill in without any air pockets. Your dahlia should be covered with 6 cm (2in) of soil. At the end of planting, pour one litre of water. Water regularly during the first 6 weeks to aid in root development. Dahlias are sensitive to cold, so they need to be overwintered. In November, the first frosts will blacken the foliage, indicating it's time to dig them up. Carefully unearth the tubers, removing as much soil as possible. Let the foliage dry so that the tubercle can replenish its reserves. When the foliage is dry, cut the stems to 10 cm (4in) above the tuber. Spread out your bulbs in a box on newspaper. Store them in a frost-free, dry, cool, and dark place.