Dahlias and Summer Blooms: Bringing the Garden Indoors

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that I’m addicted to growing colour in my garden. Against the backdrop of a busy work routine, I find it incredibly restful and therapeutic to know that, just outside my office window, lies a garden that changes and evolves with each passing day. And the dahlias on the desk beside me are a permanent reminder to get outside.

I don’t pretend to be an expert gardener, but I do know that my garden is a place of creativity and nourishment for the soul. From the plans and ambitions quietly hatched during the winter months, to the sowing of spring seeds, the first joyful bursts of spring colour, and then the bounty of the summer potager — when the garden produces more food than we can possibly consume — each season brings its own rhythm. Then, as we turn the corner into autumn, there’s that final, exuberant blaze of colour, as the plants shout their last hurrah before retreating into winter’s rest.

Living with the seasons is even more keenly felt when you spend a lot of time outdoors.

I treat my whole garden as a cutting garden. Most plants appreciate being cut regularly and reward this attention by producing more blooms with every trim. This is especially true of my beloved dahlias, whose generous blossoms keep coming only if they are deadheaded often. Rather than simply removing faded flowers, I prefer to gather armfuls for bouquets, bringing the garden’s beauty into the home.

I love to pair the huge, dinner-plate dahlia blooms with the airy shapes of Japanese anemone, cosmos, and persicaria. These are perennial plants or self-seeded annuals, requiring little or no maintenance — yet they offer weeks of effortless charm. I love the way their colours shift through the season, from fresh, luminous pastels in early summer to the deeper, more saturated tones of August. Indoors, their petals catch the afternoon light, casting delicate shadows on the table and filling the house with a quiet sense of abundance. In those moments, the world slows down, and I’m reminded that the true luxury of a garden is not only in what it grows, but in how it makes us feel — connected, grounded, and grateful for the beauty right outside the door.

Of course, growing dahlias successfully does require a little care and attention. They thrive best in rich, well-drained soil and appreciate consistent watering—especially during hot summer days—without becoming waterlogged. I make sure to water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather, to keep the roots happy and hydrated. Fertilizing is also important; Iwe mulch our soil twice a year, but for the dahlias in pots I apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer when planting and then a liquid feed every few weeks to keep them looking good.

Because dahlias grow tall and heavy with those large flowers, staking is a must. I use simple bamboo canes or stakes, tying the stems gently with soft garden twine to provide support and prevent them from flopping over in wind or rain. Without staking, those dinner-plate blooms can easily weigh down the plant and snap the stems, which is heartbreaking after all that effort!

Deadheading is key to keeping dahlias flowering all summer long. Removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce new flowers rather than setting seed. I find it a meditative daily ritual—snipping away the old to invite new life—and the reward is a continuous parade of fresh, vibrant blossoms that bring colour and joy well into autumn.

I’d love to know what flower is the star of your garden, and what is your favorite season.