What to grow with dahlias

The incredible range of available colours and forms can be overwhelming - you could easily fill a border with dahlias alone. However, they really come into their own when paired with contrasting and complimentary border plants.

Cosmos

Cosmos and dahlias are a classic pairing, and if you opt for single-flowered varieties of both, you'll attract an abundance of bees and other pollinators. Pictured here is orange Dahlia 'Happy Single Kiss' and pink Cosmos 'Dazzler'.

Nicotianas

Dahlia 'Arabian Night' and purple nicotiana

While eye-catching, dahlia flowers aren't scented, so combining them with nicotianas is an ideal solution for a fragrant display. Not all nicotianas are scented, though, so check this before buying – varieties to consider include 'Perfume Purple', 'Only The Lonely' and 'Grandiflora'.

Verbena bonariensis

Airy Verbena bonariensis is perfect for blending with dahlias in borders. The loose stems blend well without competing with the dahlias too much and help to break up areas of dense planting. It's also popular with pollinators, so makes a great choice for wildlife-friendly planting schemes.

Achilleas

Achilleas come in lots of colours, but this fiery pairing is ideal for a hot-toned border. Achilleas, like dahlias, tolerate a wide range of conditions as long as they're not waterlogged.

Ornamental grasses

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head' and Dahlia 'Bishop of Canterbury'

Many ornamental grasses like this Pennisetum 'Red Head' are reaching their peak just as dahlias burst into flower, so the two make natural partners. They look lovely in a vase, too. Other grasses, such as Stipa gigantea, would also work well.