If, like me you are a fan of the bold brash Dahlia, then a trip to Hilltop at Woodville, Stour Provost is a must.

Brian and Josse Emerson have the most wonderful garden, over looking the rolling hills of the north Dorset countryside, chocked full of summer perennials like Phlox, Asters, Roses and as mentioned lots of different Dahlias, which they sell from their nursery.

The garden, which you enter through a little gate, sits behind a 250-year-old thatch cottage, with large sweeping borders, a wildlife pond and lots of shady places to sit and enjoy the south facing garden.

The garden is open every Thursday until the end of August and this Sunday 15th the garden is open for the National Garden Scheme, a charity which is very close to my heart.

Visit Hilltops' website to see the range of Dahlias they sell and if there is one which takes your fancy, let them know next Spring and they will put it by for you.

I have my eye on Mystique and New Baby to go with the ones I have already, which escaped last winters weather. I have resolved to dig up the tubers when the first frosts have blackened the foliage, this autumn.

They really are my favourite plants, so I don’t want to lose anymore.