Chilton Nursery

spotlight on > dahlias

An overview ...

Dahlias have in recent times enjoyed something of a renaissance. Having been popular in years gone by, the dahlia fell out of favour in the 1980s and 90s. However, there now seems to be a considerable revival as gardeners have rediscovered the benefits of this versatile plant.

An accommodating plant, and easy to grow, the dahlia does well even in hot, dry summers and look goods whether grown on its own, in a herbaceous border, in a patio container, or as a cut flower.

The fact that dahlias come in a myriad of colours, shapes and sizes, and can flower continuously from July to the first frosts makes them a valuable plant for almost every garden

Our plants ...

Here at Chilton Quality Plants we began our potting schedule in mid-February and will have considerable stocks available during late spring and summer.

This year we will be stocking a wide range of dahlias - over 40 different varieties. Amongst them will be top sellers such as Bishop of Llandaff, Roxy and Moonfire. We have several bronze leaf types as well as dark leaf and green leaf varieties.

You should find our dahlias are competitively priced at a D code in Herbaceous.
At the nursery, dahlias are grown outside, batch potted and trimmed for a long season. For increased shelf life they are grown in 2.5 litre pots, with some larger plants also available.

All pictures and labels are stapled on to eliminate the problem of untidy/lost labels.
All plants are potted into compost containing 12-14 month osmocote slow release fertiliser. Vine weevil control is also incorporated.

Bishop of Llandaff

Without a doubt, the number one, best selling dahlia is Bishop of Llandaff.
One of the ever-popular dark leaf varieties, Llandaff's vibrant red peony flowers contrast strikingly with its foliage.

The dahlia was grown from a chance seedling at Tresder nursery in the 1920s. Most people probably don't realise it was named after Rev Joshua Pritchard Hughes, Bishop until 1924. In 1928 it received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

History ...

The dahlia is a tuber, and a member of the daisy family. It originates from Mexico and Central America.

As it is from warmer climes it has always been considered necessary to lift the plants to store inside over winter. However, in East Anglia and the South East dahlias can comfortably overwinter in the ground.

The dahlia was first recorded in Mexico, in 1521. It was more than 200 years before dahlias appeared in Europe, when seeds were transferred from Mexico Botanic Gardens to Royal Madrid Gardens. Here they were tended by one Andreas Dahl, from whom the plant takes it name. From these beginnings dahlias spread across the rest of Europe.

In the 19th century there was an explosion of interest. By the mid-1800s dahlias could change hands for £200 a plant. It was at this time that the modern forms came about.

In 1881 the National Dahlia Society was formed. Prices tumbled and the dahlia became more widely grown. Its advance was stalled briefly by the two world wars, but its popularity continued through the 1950s and 60s.

It fell out of favour during the next few decades, but recent times have produced a revival as gardeners have realised how versatile a plant it is.

The dahlia can be grown almost anywhere. Although preferring good soils and direct sunshine, plants can grow in most soils, and in light shade. If you have the correct variety, dahlias can also be grown in pots and tubs.

Did you know ...

> The dahlia owes its name to Swedish botanist Andreas Dahl.

> Around the 16th century the dahlia was used by the Aztecs to create viaduct systems. It is likely they used the variety imperialis, which has huge, hollow stems and grows up to 30ft.

> The Aztecs are also believed to have used the dahlia to treat epilepsy.

> In the 1840s there was a brief attempt at using dahlia tubers as a food crop, as an alternative to the potato.

> Dahlia can be split into ten distinct types: Anemone; Ball; Cactus; Collerette; Decorative; Pompon; Miscellaneous; Semi-cactus; Single; Waterlily.

Good gardens for seeing dahlias ...

> RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Chelmsford, Essex. Tel 01245 400256.
> Woottens of Wenhaston, Halesworth, Suffolk. Tel 01502 478258.
> The National Collection of Dahlias is at Varfell Farm, Penzance, Cornwall. Tel 01736 335851.

Into the future ...

Dahlias can be found in almost every colour imaginable, except one ... blue.
So far the closest is Karma Lagoon.

The future of the dahlia will be the ongoing quest to find the elusive blue form, and the twin quest to develop a scented variety.

So if anyone reading this has a compact, blue, scented form, please let us know your address and we'll be round shortly to steal it from your garden!

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