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The Complete Floristry Masterclass
Growing part 3 - planting dahlia tubers
with WILLOW CROSSLEY — World-renowned florist, author and designer, known as the UK’s ‘Queen of Flowers’.
Lesson 10 of 43
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Willow takes you through various different types of dahlia, her favourite styles, which ones work best for weddings and how best to plant your tubers.
From the Lesson Workbook
Planting Dahlia Tubers
Dahlias can touch but shouldn't be on top of each other. The season for dahlias starts in Holland in May so you can have them off season. Deadhead Dahlia's as much as possible as they keep flowering. Pinching out is done by going into the middle where the flower will grow and pinching out the top flower. This helps to bulk out the dahlia.
When planting dahlia tubers in your garden. It is best to plant each dahlia tuber, dig a hole that is at least 30 cm square and 30 cm deep, spaced 75 cm apart (depending on the expected eventual size of the variety).
The dahlias aren't placed directly into the soil outside because they hate the cold and wet. Warming up is giving them a head start before they go in the garden. When the dahlias get older and tougher, use your secateurs for pinching out. Here is a plastic tray similar to the one I use.
My favourite types of dahlia are:
- Santa Claus
- Thomas Edison
- Tartan
- Honka
- Edge of Joy
- White perfection
Discover more
For ordering Dahlia's I recommend Sarah Raven for those based in the UK. Dahliaaddict.com is a great website for finding growers and finding out when dahlias are going to be on sale in the US. The site lists the various dahlia names alphabetically and who sells them.
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Magic in small spaces
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May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Willow Crossley
World-renowned florist, author and designer, known as the UK’s ‘Queen of Flowers’.
Willow Crossley is a professional floral stylist, creating wild and whimsical arrangements full of colour, pattern and movement for an array of top British brands (Jo Malone, OKA). She is the author of four books and is regularly featured in House & Garden and many other publications. Willow is passionate about the profound impact nature can have on how we feel, and has gained a substantial following for her down-to-earth and inclusive approach to floristry and gardening. Willow firmly advocates a sustainable approach to floristry, working with the seasons and sourcing locally grown stems wherever possible.
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