This is a **Half-Hardy Annual** (grown from seed).

The Tuber Bonus: Although treated as an annual, these plants will form small tubers underground during their first summer. In autumn, you can lift these tubers, store them in a frost-free place, and replant them next spring to get even bigger plants!

Top Tip: Because the flower heads are heavy with petals, give the plants a little support (like a short cane) if you grow them in a windy spot.

Dahlias are fast growers and very satisfying to raise from seed.

Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Sow seeds onto moist compost and cover with a thin layer of vermiculite. They need warmth (20-25°C) to germinate, so a heated propagator or a warm, sunny windowsill is ideal. Germination takes 7-14 days.

Where to Sow:
They demand **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. They are hungry and thirsty plants! Dig in plenty of manure before planting out, or feed regularly with tomato feed if growing in pots.

Care While Growing:
Pinch: When seedlings have 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the top growing tip. This forces the plant to bush out and produce multiple flowering stems instead of just one.
Deadhead: Snip off faded flowers regularly to keep the blooms coming until November.

The bold, round shapes of 'Pompone' Dahlias look best with contrasting spikes or airy fillers:

• 💜 Verbena Bonariensis: The Airy Partner. The tall, thin purple stems of Verbena float above and around the solid, round heads of the Dahlias, adding lightness and movement to the border.
• 🌸 Cosmos 'Sensation Mixed': The Foliage Contrast. The feathery, fern-like foliage of Cosmos contrasts beautifully with the broader leaves and solid flowers of the Dahlia. Both bloom late into the season.

Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers July to first frost.