Orange dahlias to grow

When positioning your dahlias, consider their flowering period - usually late August until the first frosts. Will neighbouring plants in flower at the same time work well with the orange? Orange dahlias are often paired with purple-flowered plants, but work just as well in kaleidoscopic jewel gardens or hot-toned borders.

'Peach Brandy'

As the honeybee in this picture will attest, 'Peach Brandy' is a single-flowered variety with flowers that are readily accessed by pollinators. The pale orange blooms have just a hint of yellow.

H x S: 90cm x 50cm.

'Jodie Wilkinson'

The spherical blooms of 'Jodie Wilkinson' identify it as a ball dahlia. This variety has apricot flowers with faint purple markings.

H x S: 1.5m x 50cm.

'Gwyneth'

Dahlia 'Gwyneth' is an elegant waterlily dahlia with fiery orange blooms, paler in the centre and deepening as the petals age. It's a brilliant choice for a jewel garden and looks great alongside red and purple flowers.

H x S: 1.5m x 40cm.

'David Howard'

'David Howard' is a miniature dahlia, with mid-orange flowers set off to perfection by the intense bronze foliage. It's an ideal variety for a large pot or container.

H x S: 75cm x 75cm.

'Sylvia'

This miniature ball dahlia has lovely orange-red blooms set against deep green foliage. Purple salvias, verbena and other dahlias make perfect planting companions. 'Sylvia' makes a lovely cut flower, too.

H x S: 80cm x 50cm.

'Vulcan'

The large, spectacular blooms of 'Vulcan' can't fail to be missed. As a semi-cactus type, it has 'spiky' petals that boost the overall size of the flower.

H x S: 1.2m x 40cm.

'Mrs Eileen'

'Mrs Eileen' is large-flowered, decorative dahlia. It bears bright orange petals tinted with red, especially when young, and fresh green foliage. Given their size, the blooms make spectacular cut flowers in summer and autumn.

H x S: 1.2m x 50cm.

Protecting new shoots

Newly planted tubers that have started producing shoots will prove attractive to slugs and snails that enjoy the soft, tender growth. Go out at night to pick off and dispose of any slugs and snails you come across.