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Dahlias are breathtakingly gorgeous late-season flowers that bloom from midsummer through fall in a rainbow of color. Dahlias are perennials in Zones 8 and higher; in cold climates, they need to be dug up and stored until spring. Learn how to plant dahlia tubers and great tips on how to grow dahlias! About Dahlia FlowersDahlia is a genus of tuberous plants that are members of the Asteraceae family, which also includes the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, zinnia, and, of course, aster. Picking a favorite dahlia is like going through a button box. The flowers can range in size from petite 2-inch lollipop-style pompoms to giant 15-inch “dinner plates.” Most varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall. Plus, dahlias grow in a wide range of beautiful colors, including white, yellow, orange, pink, dark pink, red, dark red, lavender, purple and black, light blend, bronze, flame, dark blend, variegated and bicolor! Tubers are planted in the ground in late spring and generally flower from July to the first autumn frosts. Dahlias are perfect for a border garden and make lovely cut flowers. Growing vegetables? Put a row of dahlias on the border, where they will not shade your edibles. Are Dahlias Perennials?It depends. Dahlias are considered a tender perennial in colder regions of North America. They are reliably winter hardy in hardiness zones 8 and higher. In colder zones, dahlias can either be treated as annuals or the tubers can be dug up after the first frost and stored indoors for winter and replanted in spring. For gardeners in zones 6 and 7, it can vary and some have luck keeping tubers in the ground. (See what hardiness zone you’re in!) Dahlias love moist, moderate climates and full sun. Though not well suited to extremely hot climates (such as southern Florida or Texas), dahlias brighten up any sunny garden with a growing season that’s at least 120 days long.
Dahlias thrive in 6 to 8 hours of direct sun, especially morning sunlight, and they benefit from protection from wind. Consider their size at maturity when planting. They grow best in rich, well-draining soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 7.5. Amend heavy clay soil with aged manure or compost to lighten and loosen the soil texture for better drainage. When to Plant Dahlias
How to Plant DahliasAvoid planting dahlia tubers that appear wrinkled or rotten. Pink “eyes” (buds) or a little bit of green growth are good signs.
To plant the tubers, start by digging a 6- to 8-inch deep hole. It also helps to mix some compost and a handful of bonemeal into the planting hole. Otherwise, do not fertilize at planting.
Growing Dahlias in ContainersMedium- to dwarf-size dahlias do well in containers that have drainage and are big enough to support the plant at maturity. Generally, a 12x12 inch container will suffice.
Check out our video to learn more about growing dahlias in your garden:
When dahlias are established, water 2 or 3 times a week and more in hot, dry climates. Be prepared to tend to plants before or after rain, when open blooms (especially large ones) tend to fill up with water or take a beating from the wind.
There are about 60,000 named varieties and 18 official flower forms, including cactus, peony, anemone, stellar, collarette, and waterlily. Here are some popular choices:
The more you cut dahlias, the more they’ll bloom! For a bouquet, cut stems in the morning before the heat of the day and put them into a bucket of cool water. Remove stems’ bottom leaves and place the flowers into a vase of water. Place the vase in a cool spot and out of direct sun. Check the water daily. Vase life is about 7 days. Dig Up and Storing Dahlia TubersDahlias are hardy to Zone 8; in these more temperate regions, dahlias can simply be cut back and their tubers left in the ground through winter; cover with several inches of dry mulch. In Zones 7, some gardeners claim their tubers survive winter in the ground; other gardeners have had varied results. It all depends on the severity of winter; native to Mexico, dahlias won’t survive freezing temperatures. → Find your USDA Hardiness Zone here. In Zones 8 and north, simply dig up (lift) and store tuberous roots in late fall; tubers can be expensive and this will save you the money that would otherwise go into buying new ones each year. See your fall frost dates
Readying for SummerIn spring, separate healthy tubers from the parent clump and discard wrinkled or rotten ones. Plan to plant the survivors. Each tuber must have at least one “eye” or piece of the crown attached or it will not develop into a blooming plant. The eyes are little pink bumps at the base of the stem. → See our gardener’s article on how to unpack and divide your stored dahlia tubers! If this all seems like too much bother or you do not have the right storage place, skip it all and treat dahlias as annuals, buying new tubers in the spring.
The Dahlia you brought to our isle
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