“Growing Dahlias was never on my radar, I’ve always preferred growing veg and tomatos, with a few cosmos and zinnia thrown in. After seeing the vast colourful, gorgeousness of what was growing in Cali, I bought a handful of experimental blooms in my first year. Some grew magnificently and some totally failed.

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Three years laters and several medals from my local horticultural society in Emsworth 2026 was my biggest growing year yet.

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My garden is not huge but we pack as many in as we can. I’ve found a love for exhibiting and choose blooms not only that are great for cutting but also some that are a particular class for exhibiting. I’ve learnt a lot about growing from my new relationship with these wonderful tubers.

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I still marvel each year that something the size of a potato can grow 20 + 12” blooms.

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2026 Saw propagation of 175+ dahlias, some new varieties and some very old favourites.

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I’m on the waiting list for a local allotment and I am hoping that we can expand the varieties and number of tubers (plus all the ancillary cut flowers for bouquets ) in a new spot under a mile away this year coming!”

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Thanks to everyone thats supported this little venture so far. Sj x.”