Would you like to find out how to grow dahlias, care for them, and enjoy some colourful, unusual and eye-catching displays? Then join us for Discovering Dahlias at RHS Garden Wisley.
This is an exciting new show for visitors new to gardening or dahlias, as well as those who just want to enjoy the visually spectacular sight of hundreds of dahlias in an enormous range of colours, shapes and sizes.
Our fabulous speakers have been growing, arranging and working with dahlias for many years and are thrilled to be able to share their love and knowledge of them with you through a fun and varied range of talks.
Talks schedule:
10am: The Show opens
10.30am: Why I love dahlias, floral arrangement demo. Georgie Newbery, Common Farm Flowers
Georgie creates a fabulous statement arrangement using dahlias and other fillers and shares her love of all things dahlia with visitors.
11.30am: Why are there so many colours? Breeding and growing from seed. Tracy Parkinson
Tracey explains how and why dahlias have such a huge variety, and how breeders try to create particular colours and forms. Visitors are encouraged to try growing dahlias from seed, with plenty of advice for new gardeners.
12.30pm: How I grow dahlias. Georgie Newbery, Common Farm Flowers
Georgie shares her love of growing dahlias, giving hints and tips for getting the most out of your plants whatever the size of your plot or pot. Georgie also talks about the best dahlias for pollinators.
1.30pm: Garden centre to garden success, the basics of growing dahlias. Andrew Robinson, National Dahlia Society Chair
Andrew demonstrates how to get the best out of shop-bought tubers, potted dahlias and cuttings to give you successful displays however you choose to grow them. Perfect for new gardeners or those new to growing dahlias.
2.30pm: Create a bouquet from your garden (small hand tie demo). Georgie Newbury, Common Farm Flowers
Georgie shows visitors how to condition their flowers and create a lovely hand tie with only a few dahlias and other fillers. However small your plot you can create a bouquet.
3.30pm: Dahlias are good for you! Liz Appleby
Liz talks about how creating her new dahlia field helped her wellbeing, once she’d recovered from the task of moving 1,500 dahlias.
5pm: The Show closes
Tours:
- 11am: Tour of the Wisley Dahlia Trials
- 2pm: Tour of the Wisley Dahlia Trials
