Dahlias that are ready to lift
We’re in the process of dismantling the great big egg pots and a medley of other containers on the terrace in front of the cottage, so we can plant spring-flowering bulbs. Playing a leading role in this summer display here are loads of dahlias, the great majority of them grown from seed. In a way this is almost a ‘trial’ area, we can get a good idea of how each one performs. Is it prolific? Has it got splendid deportment? Is there something special about the shape and/or colour of its flowers? Has it got handsome foliage? Once they’re lifted, tubers will be stored in pots of compost along with several others that didn’t make it into the garden this year. Because once their foliage and flowers will disappear in a few weeks time, the best way to keep track of what is what, is to give each a number on a label and take a photo of it with its number. That way, when spring returns we’ll be able to take cuttings of the extra special ones and plant out our dahlias where they’ll look best.