Gardening: How to achieve dazzling dahlia displays

Treat them right and dahlias can flower into October and even November

These late-blooming stars are a firm favourite. Picture: Vikki Rimmer/PA

It’s dahlia season, when these big, colourful blooms add a touch of glamour to the garden — and if you treat them right they can flower into October and even November.

Dahlias come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, from dwarf collarettes to spiky cactus, dinner plate, pom pom, waterlily and anemone-flowered varieties, all of which have their own charm.