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Plant ID please

DicemancDicemanc Posts: 40
in Plants

Hi,

Would be very grateful for a plant ID for this plant.

I am getting ready for winter and am wondering whether this is hardy enough to be planted out as a permanent border plant, or if it won't survive the winter... (was purchased by my father-in-law, and he can't remember what he did with the label!)

Many thanks, in advance,

Col.

image

 

Posts

  • FleurisaFleurisa Posts: 779

    It's a dahlia, they originate from Mexico and aren't hardy in the UK. They are usually dug up after the first frost has blackened the stems, you can store the tubers somewhere frost free over winter. They won't need light. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=592

  • DicemancDicemanc Posts: 40

    Thanks Fleurisa - that's really helpful.

    (I had thought it was probably a dahlia - but allowed my mother-in-law to convince me that it wasn't!)

    Thanks again,

    Col.

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,887

    if you live in the South,and have sandy, free draining soil, they should be ok over the winter. I left mine in the ground in Hampshire.

     

    Devon.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

    I would be sceptical about the survival of a newly planted dahlia even in the South though. If it's been in the ground all season and has nice deep fat tubers that would be a different matter.

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • BookertooBookertoo Posts: 1,306

    … used to leave them in the ground until the very hard winter a few years ago, lost the lot.  Now grow in large pots which get tucked under the hedge with some protection.  Smaller pots get put in the cold frame.  If its only young then give it a chance and protect it - we have no idea what kind of winter is coming after all. 

  • DicemancDicemanc Posts: 40

    Thanks everyone - I definitely won't plant it out now then!

    I'll try and find a cool place for it to live over winter. I've got a cupboard full of bubble wrap - so I could use that to give it some protection (is bubble wrap ok?)

    Do I just wrap the base and leave the top open to breathe - or does the whole plant get completely wrapped up?

    Thanks again

  • BookertooBookertoo Posts: 1,306

    That depends very much on what protection you are going to use.  The leaves and stems will die down entirely, leaving only the tuber in the pot, so wrapping it up at that point is fine.  Please do not use bubble wrap or anything like it, it gets wet on the inside and then if it freezes will make the compost even colder - and/or damage the pot.  Newspaper tied around and topped with sacking is good, or horticultural fleece if you can get some - any old curtains or cloths are fine, with the newspapers to absorb the wet.  Bracken or fern leaves are excellent as packing, but not everyone has access to those.  Even dry leaves tucked inside sacking or whatever will add a way of reducing moisture and keep the pot that degree or two above freezing that is all that is needed.  If you can put the pot next to the house, or in a hedge (where mine go) or next to a greenhouse, or anywhere where a tiny bit of heat and protection will be offered that is even better.  On the whole dahlias are pretty tough, but this is still a young one so will want a bit of help - so much depends on what kind of winter we get. 

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