Dahlias

Forms

Along with their range of sizes, dahlias come in a dazzling array of forms, most of which fall into one of the following groups. Some are perfectly symmetrical, with tightly spaced petals, while others have a loose, lush look. They may have different petal styles and lengths, with open centres or not. When it comes to choosing varieties, people’s preferences vary widely – some prefer cactus types, while others will grow only informal decoratives. I’m personally drawn to the oddballs, including anemone, stellar, incurved cactus and orchette. Over time you might find yourself gravitating to particular classes and understanding the differences between them will help you when selecting new varieties.

How to grow

Dahlias are relatively easy