Few flowers herald summer like the beautiful and versatile dahlia. Whether large or small, orange or purple, single-petaled or multi-petaled, their vigour and luxuriance make them a stunning addition to the summer garden. Here are seven gardens to see dahlias across the UK.
Dahlias bring a brilliant burst of colour in late summer to Cambridgeshire’s Anglesey Abbey right up to the first frost. What’s more, the extensive borders are filled with over 70 varieties of dahlias, complementing the Jacobean style house.
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Visit Sarah Raven’s private garden in East Sussex on one of the open days in August and September to see the dahlias in full bloom. The summer months also mean summer harvest time, during which lunch is served in the garden using produce from the garden. Bookings are essential.
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This famous Oxfordshire garden was designed by William Kent in the 18th century. Unusually, the garden’s stunning dahlia bed still recycles the same 500 bulbs that were in bloom when the bed was created in 1946. You need to book in advance and the house is only open to large groups.
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These gardens are located in the heart of Harrogate in North Yorkshire and span 17 acres of parkland and woodland. The highlight is undoubtedly the stunning dahlia garden, filled with thousands of stunning flowers.
Visit friendsofvalleygardens.co.uk
In contrast to the neat rows of dahlias found in other gardens, these colourful plants at Cambo Walled Garden in Fife form part of a natural scheme. The result is a dazzling display throughout the summer months.
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These stunning late-season blooms are on full display at Dixter, where deep borders are packed with a wide range of colours and shapes. With Fergus Garrett at the helm, Great Dixter is a must-see for any gardener.
Visit greatdixter.co.uk
The stunning dahlias have a long history at Dyffryn in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. Flowering profusely, they are a constant presence in the summer flowerbeds on the South Front. In a few years, as part of the reintroduction of the ‘Lost Garden of Dyffryn’, they will return to the Sunken Dahlia Garden.
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Read our summary beautiful rose garden to visit.
