The one flower gardeners say you should order now before it sells out

Gardeners hoping for a colourful summer display should be ordering their dahlia tubers now, according to a senior gardener at one of the UK’s most impressive stately homes.

Noah Mabey, Senior Gardener at Thornbridge Hall, told Platinum Spas Hot Tubs that March is the ideal time to secure popular dahlia varieties before popular options begin to sell out.

Noah explains, “Many gardeners wait too long to buy their tubers – only to find the most sought-after varieties are already gone. The best varieties sell out quickly, so it pays to be organised.”

He adds, “You don’t need to plant them outside yet, but getting them ready now means you’ll have strong, healthy plants prepared for late spring.”

Why dahlias are so popular with gardeners
Dahlias are one of the most popular summer flowers in UK gardens thanks to their stunning, showy blooms. When planted after the final frost, they provide a continuous, “cut-and-come-again” supply of flowers from summer until late autumn.

Their large, striking flowers also make them a favourite for cut flower displays, adding colour to borders, patios and garden beds throughout the summer months.

The dahlia variety gardeners love most
Noah told Platinum Spas that one variety in particular has become a firm favourite with gardeners and flower growers alike.

“The iconic blush-toned ‘Café au Lait’ dahlias are one of my personal favourites,” he explains. “They’re incredibly elegant and work beautifully in borders or cut flower displays.”

Other Dahliah varieties sought-after by gardeners include pink ‘Rockrun Ashley’, and burgundy ‘Ivanetti’. ‘Penhill Watermelon’, ‘Blizzard’, and the dark-leaved ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ are also firm favourites.

Why ordering tubers in March gives you a head start
Ordering tubers in early spring not only allows you to secure the best varieties, but also gives gardeners the option to start them indoors in pots before planting them outside later in the season – helping them establish more quickly once the weather warms up.

“Getting organised now means you’ll be ready to plant as soon as conditions are right,” Noah adds. “It’s one of those small jobs that makes a big difference later in the year.”