‘Clair de Lune’. Love ’em or loathe ’em, collerette dahlias are distinctive and showy. Most have contrasting inner petals but in this one they are more subtle. Large and tall growing at 1.5m

‘Brackenridge Ballerina’. If I had to choose a flower type I would go for the Waterlily every time – I like the looser blooms and they are so good for cutting. This one is pastel coloured and small-flowered (15-20cm) and a tall grower, reaching 1.5m

‘Edinburgh’ Being a fanatic of everything unusual I should love this but, along with others in the same colour pattern but different shades, it is a bit annoying! But it is showy. ‘Edinburgh’ is a small Decorative, with flowers less than 15cm across

‘Gerrie Hoek’ Another Waterlily, this is an ancient variety but none the worse for that – it is great to grow for cutting

‘Babylon Bronze’ is a modern, commercial variety with large (22cm) flowers on large plants up to 1.2m high. Nice colour

‘Cha Cha’ is a small (less than 20cm) semi-cactus flower in shades of rich pink and grows to about 1.5m

‘Lilac Time’ The flowers of this Decorative are 15-20cm across and as close to blue as you can get. Despite some curious names there are no blue dahlias.