If grown for exhibition, it is almost essential that the dahlias should be allotted a separate site, and it is definitely best to keep to groups or rows of similarly sized blooms as this simplifies the task of feeding and disbudding, as well as making the task of selection much easier when cutting for the shows.

From the garden landscape point of view, it is sometimes an advantage to have a comparatively small group of dahlias interspersed with the other flowers. Strictly speaking this is not so good for the dahlias, as they will undoubtedly fare much better in a plot devoted entirely to themselves. But after all the garden is for pleasure and with care they will not suffer overmuch.

As a general rule it is fairly safe to plant in the South East of England from 24th May onwards, perhaps a week earlier in the South West and a week later in the Midlands and North. The Scots are generally advised to plant latest of all.

It is referred to the taller growing fully double types, and the use of the dwarf bedding varieties has been ignored. This is perhaps unfair, as a bed of these can look rather wonderful.

Those with very small gardens may have to limit the number of plants in any one block, so there is every excuse for using a single dahlia as a dot plant here and there, but do not expect them to give so generous a display under these conditions. They will grow reasonably well, but will not thrive as they would in a bed with only their fellows as company.

One of the major troubles will be insect damage, as the pests will tend to migrate from the less herbaceous stuff to the rich fare offered by the succulent dahlias. Dusting or spraying with good insecticides will minimise this undesirable factor.