![\"\u00a9](\"http:\/\/www.theguidetogaygardening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Eveline.jpg\")
<\/a>Eveline almost looks photoshopped<\/p><\/div>\n
One thing with dahlias; you need to be prepared for a little work. These aren’t plants you can throw into the border and leave alone. If you don’t nurture them, they’ll disappear in a flash. They’re a favourite food of slugs and snails, and until you’ve managed to get some decent height on them, you’re at risk of exploring the garden in the morning to find only dahlia stumps remaining. The tall varieties need staking too, because their thick green trunks, the weight of the flowers will quickly snap the hardiest of stems. Luckily, circular plant supports are ideal though, as they grow higher, they may require additional help, such as bamboo canes. There’s also the winter care required. Dahlia tubers can rot easily so they need protection. You can cover the area with plastic and peg it down to prevent direct water contact, but I find it best to lift tubers altogether. Having shaken off as much soil as possible, you can wrap them in newspaper or bed them on trays of sand, before placing in a cool, dim place. Fresh shoots in spring will give you the heads up when to plant these delights again.<\/p>\n