Patio Dahlias

Half-hardy Annual

• Flowers: Summer
• Position: Full sun
• Soil: Well drained
• Height: 5 feet
• Germination: Easy
• Aftercare: Easy
• Ideal for: Bedding, Border, Cut Flower

Description

Dating back to the late 1700's, many Dahlias are natives of Mexico and were used by the Aztecs for medicinal and animal food. Now, they make excellent border plants, and long lasting cut flowers. 'Border Species' blooms in shades of yellow, red and lilac-purple.

Subject to harvest, this packet includes

D. coccinea

D. merckii

D. sherifii

D. tenuicaulis.

Seed has not been harvested from the wild. Height 5 feet. Planting distance 27 inches.

Sowing Instructions

Sowing time:	Indoors 8-10 weeks before last spring frost
Sowing depth:	6mm (¼in)

Sow at 20-25C (70-75F) in a good seed sowing mix. Make sure that the mix is moist but not wet and seal in a plastic bag after sowing. Germination usually takes 7-10 days.

Growing Instructions

Transplant when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow cool and well lit. To ensure that you grow all the species in the mix, transplant all the seedlings whether large or small. Gradually acclimatize to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost 30cm (12in) apart in rich, moist soil and a sunny, sheltered spot.

Aftercare Instructions

Lift the tubers in the autumn before the frosts dry off and store in a cool, dry, frost free place through the winter.