Collection of Collarette Dahlias

Plant your dahlias in the spring in soil that has been deeply worked and enriched, for example with powdered horn or dehydrated blood. Place the tuber in the ground and crumble the soil around it well so that it fills in without leaving any pockets of air. Your dahlia should be covered with 6 cm (2in) of soil. After planting, give the tuber a litre of water. Water regularly during the first 6 weeks to aid in root development. Dahlias are sensitive to cold and need to be overwintered. In November the first frost will blacken the foliage: this is the time to dig them up. Carefully remove the tubers, taking off as much soil as possible. Let the foliage dry out so that the tuber can replenish its reserves. When the foliage is dry, cut the stems to 10 cm (4in) from the tuber. Spread your bulbs in a box on a newspaper. Store in a frost-free, dry, cool, and dark place.