The fact that some 500 visitors (including 4 coaches!!) turned up was absolutely brilliant and made the whole event such fun. But i tell you what Dear bloggers to passively stroll around The World Garden with Jon and see how much the garden has grown coupled with the fab quantity of flowers strutting their colourful late summer hues – was tear jerkingly magical. Without a doubt we’re getting there!!!

Jon tips on Dahlia cultivation proved fruitful to visitors from the importance of dead heading to taking cuttings at this time of year to either lifting the Dahlia tubers in winter or leaving  them in the ground – provided that they have a molehill of compost or well rotted mulch covering them. What visitors didn’t appreciate is that Dahlia species are almost entirely native to Mexico with a couple from neighbouring Guatemala. They range from a few inches tall to 20 feet! Their ease of cultivation, addition to the summer and autumn flowering border and sheer diversity can never be questioned. My favourites are Dahlia ‘Pooh’ – named after pooh bear in case you were wondering!; Dahlia ‘Othello’ – an almost black cactus type; Dahlia ‘Hayley Jane’ – with psychedelic Hawaiian shirt style colorations and last but by no means least – our very own chance Dahlia seedling selected by Jon Wheatley in The World Garden in 2009 – Dahlia ‘Lullingstone Castle’. This provisional name hopefully will become a reality next year and may even be launched at Chelsea in 2011!! Readers, steam is beginning to emerge from my ear ever so slightly bristly ear lobes again!!!

I must also make a special mention to Bob Lennox from MoCHA (Museum of Culinary History and Alimentation) who enthusiastically spoke to enthralled visitors over last weekend about their trials and tribulations of growing a wide selection of edibles within the World Garden including Tomatoes, Chillies (some very hot!) and Potatoes.

Any further info on Dahlias can be sourced at Winchester Growers on (01736) 335853 or www.winchestergrowers.co.uk