Dahlias

[Yorkshire Lass]

I have just put in some dahlia bulbs and I would like them to last longer than one year as they usually get damaged by frost and only last one season. What do you do to protect? Is it advisable to lift them and replant?

[Yorkshire Lass]

[johhnyco15]

as you live up country id lift them after the first frost store them in damp compost or sand in a frost free place replant them around middle to the end of april here on the sunshine coast i leave mine in all year just cover with straw and fleece hope this helps

[Tee Gee]

Basically I agree with Johnny.

Here is a bit of info on them and a few pictures to drool over:

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Dahlia/Dahlia.htm

[Redalder]

Agree with Johnny, used to lift them in northern Scotland and store them next to the boiler house, but in Cornwall I have never lifted them and they are fine. A bit of  "grass" frost seems to do no harm but the deep Aberdeenshire frost was lethal.

[Yorkshire Lass]

Thanks for advice.  I'll see if I can keep them a few years this time!

[Robert_Brenchley]

I used to live in Cornwall myself; you very rarely get serious frost down there. I'm not sure how they'll do in Birmingham, but potatoes survive well in the ground so dahlias probably will as well. I'll be growing some this year so I should soon find out!