Dahlia imperialis
David Victor (Tue, 18 Oct 2005 04:45:24 PDT)

Hi all,

I grow Dahlia imperialis outside, but only in a large pot. This week I
have taken the pot inside my cold greenhouse to see if I can get it to
flower before it dies back - light levels tend to knock it over in the end,
even if the ambient temperature in the house does not get low enough to
stop it. However, generally it won't bloom until very late in the year,
near to Christmas.

For those of you around the UK, there is a plant (which bloomed last year)
in the new plant house at Hidcote Gardens. However, as visitors you will
only see the foliage (which is particularly fine), as by its blooming time,
the garden will be closed for the winter!

Mike Salmon at Monocot nursery used to bloom it each year by growing it on
quickly in a sunny greenhouse and taking a sheet of glass out of the roof
when it became necessary.

In any event, the blooms are small and insignificant, but its worth growing
for its foliage.

Best regards,
David Victor