Dahlias do not return
Diane Whitehead (Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:38:54 PDT)

They grow very well here, and there are a couple of dahlia garden
clubs in Victoria. This area, from British Columbia south to Oregon,
has a number of dahlia nurseries.

I have sandy soil, and leave mine in the ground. They are just
emerging now. I think a number were killed this winter, though. We
had three periods of cold, and I think the third one, in March,
probably discouraged plants that had managed to survive the first two
blasts.

I think those that are not left in the ground, but are started into
growth in a warm house, bloom sooner.

Diane Whitehead
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
maritime zone 8, cool Mediterranean climate
mild rainy winters, mild dry summers