Dahlias . They might sound like a name pulled from a vintage movie , but hope me , they ’re way more than just a pretty nerve . If you ’ve never ascertain one in full blossom , cogitate of it as a blossom that ca n’t decide whether it ’s a helianthus , a peony , or a firework . Bold , colorful , and with petals that seem to go on evermore , dahlias bring a whole lot of personality to any garden .

They lead off popping up in summer , and the best part ? They ’ll keep record off their vibrant blossom all the way into fall — perfect for extending that garden magic when everything else is winding down . Plus , they ’re not too picky about their growing conditions . They get it on full sunlight but wo n’t throw a scene if they do n’t get it all day long . Just verify they ’re in well - drained dirt , and they ’ll reward you with flowers that range from finespun pastel to eye - pop reds , purples , and yellowness .

One matter to note : they ’re not shy . They produce tall , often loom above your other plants , so do n’t be surprised when they start to slip the show . And while they do love a good drink , do n’t drown them — keep that soil moist but not soggy .

In brusque , dahlias are the diva of the garden . They exact a bit of attention , but once they settle in , you ’ll have a flower that ’s as gloomy - alimony as they come , blooming with a striking flair that ’ll turn your garden into a showstopper .

How to Grow Dahlias

mature dahlias is a fun and relatively straight unconscious process that can succumb vivacious and beautiful bloom throughout the summertime and into the downfall .

Below is a comprehensive guidebook to get you started .

Planting Dahlias

Growing Dahlias

Caring for Dahlias

Tips for Successful Dahlia Growing

Dahlias Growing Zone

Dahlias expand best in USDA hardiness zone 8 through 11 . In these zones , they can be mature as perennial , meaning they will come back year after year .

However , in cool zones , such as 3 through 7 , Dahlia pinnata are often maturate as annuals , or gardener will toil up the tubers and store them indoors over the wintertime to replant in the spring .

Growing Dahlias FAQ

institute the tubers in the spring after the last hoar , space them about 12 - 18 inches apart and put them 4 - 6 column inch thick in the soil with the optic or sprout facing up . Water the tubers exhaustively after planting but avoid overwatering .

Choose a great pot with good drain and fill it with a high - quality potting mix . body of water on a regular basis and fertilize as you would for garden - grown Dahlias .

Dahlias typically take around 90 to 120 days to produce from planting to flowering , depending on the form and originate conditions . If you begin with tubers , they usually begin to blossom about 8 to 10 weeks after plant . If you start with seeds , it may take a bit longer for the plants to mature and bloom .

Dahlias should be constitute in the springiness after the last frost has pass . The soil should be well - enfeeble and warm up , normally when the daytime temperature systematically reaches around 60 ° fluorine ( 15 ° C ) .

Water the plants deep once or twice a week , especially during ironical full stop . Avoid overwatering , as it can lead to tuber molder . It ’s skillful to irrigate in the sunrise to allow the leafage to dry out during the day .

Taller varieties of Dahlias may need support as they grow . Use bet or cage to support the stems and prevent them from falling over , especially during verbose condition .

In cold climates , travail up the Tuber after the first icing has blackened the foliage . Let them dry out for a few days , then stack away them in a nerveless , teetotal seat in peat moss or sawdust until natural spring . In milder climates , you’re able to leave them in the undercoat with a thick stratum of mulch .

Common pests include aphid , slugs , and spider mites . disease like powdery mildew , rootage rot , and mosaic virus can also dissemble dahlias . Regular review and proper precaution can help oneself prevent these issues .