Dahlias are a chunky plant which takes well to propagation on a late winter’s day in a frost-free greenhouse

The dahlia is an unfailingly chunky plant in every aspect of its physique, which makes it an ideal object for the cold-handed propagator on a late winter's day. In a frost-free greenhouse, remove the stored tubers from their winter box of insulation. Clean the tubers off, make up trays of free-draining compost and either divide the tubers with secateurs or, if you prefer, set the plants up in the compost in a bright spot, label, water and wait for the shiny green shoots to arise, when they can be removed at the base and used as softwood cuttings.

* Subscribe
to Country Life and save over £50 a year