Delightful dahlias, with Josie Lewis

In this episode, host and head gardener Josie discuss the vibrant and diverse world of dahlias. Josie shares her experiences at Perch Hill, where she has worked for 13 years and oversees the trialing of new dahlia varieties for sale. They outline the process of selecting and trialing dahlias, including trips to Holland to collaborate with breeders, and describe the annual assessment process for new varieties.

Josie explains the unique characteristics of dahlias, noting their prominent presence in gardens, varying heights, and their relation to the daisy family. She emphasizes the importance of planting both single and double dahlias to support pollinators while satisfying personal aesthetic preferences.

The conversation also delves into practical advice for growing dahlias, including starting from tubers and seeds, potting techniques, and the significance of choosing the right compost. Josie highlights the importance of proper watering, cutting back, and supporting plants to ensure healthy growth.

In addition to growing tips, Josie shares her enthusiasm for experimenting with breeding dahlias, discussing how seed-parent selection can lead to new, unique varieties. They also explore suitable companions for dahlias in garden design, emphasizing the interplay between plants to enhance visual appeal. The duo discusses adding dahlias to wildflower gardens and highlights their suitability in floral arrangements due to their robust nature and vibrant colour spectrum.

Finally, they touch on common pests and diseases that affect dahlias and offer eco-friendly solutions in line with organic gardening practices. They conclude with a celebration of dahlias as a beloved flower, urging both novice and experienced gardeners to embrace their beauty.