Dahlias come in various shapes and sizes, producing striking flowers that last right up until the first frosts of autumn. You can buy them as tubers but they do well grown from seed too, flowering in the same year that they have been sown. Once established, they need little maintenance and will provide an abundance of blooms.
SOWING
Start seeds off indoors in trays of moist seed compost February-April at a temperature of 15-20C (60-68F) or even higher for best germination. A warm windowsill should be fine, though a heated propagator is best for earlier sowings. Sow to a depth of 6mm (¼in) and sprinkle with vermiculite if you have some (though not essential). Germination will take 10-21 days.
GROWING ON