Dahlias

lolly5648

I bought some dahlias in pots and want to put them into the ground. I know people lift their dahlias each year but could I leave them in the ground year after year?

tanith

No guarantee they would survive, my Dad always stored them in sacks in his frost free shed... they might be alright if you live in a fairly sheltered spot with mildish winters

elsien

I've got one that I leave in every year. It's in a fairly sheltered spot, but still got down to minus 10 this year and survived. I think if the soil is well drained so they're less likely to freeze in the ground you've got more chance of getting away with it, and I've also heard you can cover with a layer of straw for insulation although I've never done that myself. Not guaranteed though, so if you're desperate to keep them you'd probably be better storing overwinter.

Farway

It does depend where you live really, I have never lifted dahlias to overwinter, but I live in Hampshire

The storing overwinter is also not foolproof, they can rot off or shrivel

Davesnave

London's a bit of a heat island, so you'll probably get away with leaving them in most winters, especially if drainage is good. Even after last winter, a relative living at 750' above sea level on the Mendips retained most, if not all of hers, in a well drained garden.

kimmee

My garden has had a beautiful dahlia in it for years and it has never been lifted but last winter killed it off and I'm really sad that I won't see it again.

lolly5648

Thanks for all the replies. I live in London and the winter temperatures are really quite mild compared with other areas (famous last words) so I am going to take a chance and plant them out.