Dahlia's flamboyant flowers with twisted petals are easy to grow from seed and fill the mid-to-back border with brilliant colors. Pinch back tips when plants reach about 6-12" tall to encourage bushiness and stake early to support the brittle branches in windy or heavy summer rain areas. Mulch is beneficial to keep the soil cool and moist during the hottest part of summer. Keep cutting for bouquets for continual bloom until frost. A week after frost, dig up the tubers, if desired (leaving 4" of the stem), and store in damp sand or peat moss in a cool location, such as a basement, until spring. An unusual edible, in their native Mexico the tubers were eaten. Flower petals can be used in edible flower confetti or as a garnish, but the leaves can cause mild toxic effects if eaten or handled in significant amounts.