Dahlias are the exuberance of a fall garden. Planted in mid-April, then mostly forgotten, they show up and show off when the borders and the gardener need a boost. Mixed with other fall bloomers like sneezeweed, mountain mint, gaura, Joe Pye weed, rudbeckia, and anemones, dahlias take ordinary borders and make them extraordinary. And, they’re pretty much pest and trouble-free. (Jury is mixed on whether they serve as deer food. Please share your experience below).
Types of Dahlias
For a description of each type of dahlia, click on this quick read from the American Dahlia Society. Listed below are the more recognizable forms of dahlias.
- Anemone
- Ball or Pom Pom
- Border
- Cactus and Semi-cactus
- Decorative
- Dinnerplate
- Mignon
- Waterlily
Planting Dahlias, Growing Dahlias
Dahlias are hardy in zones 8-10. B.B. Barns sells dahlia tubers in spring. Dahlias are not part of your fall bulb planting (which we’ll discuss in another post). They are considered tender perennial or summer bulbs. The tubers look like potato tubers, except dahlias only have eyes at the stem end of the tuber.
- Plant dahlias in mid-April to early May, when the soil and air temperatures are warmer (60°).
- Plant new tubers 1-2″ deep with 1″ soil covering the sprouting tip.
- Plant in full sun with good drainage and a pH of 6.5-7.
- Plant taller varieties outside of windy areas and where providing support will be easy. Use flower rings, stakes, or plant near fences where stems can lean or be tied.
- Fertilize with low nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) a month after planting, then monthly after that. Do not overfeed.
- Dig up in the fall. Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America, and while they will survive a mild winter here, they won’t survive a harsh one. Dig up gently with a pitchfork and shake all the soil loose. Store in the newspaper, sawdust, or peat moss in a dry place for the winter. Douse with a bit of water once a month to avoid shriveling.
Growing Dahlias
- Don’t over-water. Like bulbs, the tubers need good drainage. Over-watering and poor drainage can cause bacterial or fungal problems in the soil. If the plant wilts, dig it up and discard the entire plant.
- Borers and aphids are sometimes a problem. For aphids, Neem works well. For borers, cut off infected stems and destroy them.
- Always keep dahlias weeded. They don’t like competition
More Information on Dahlias
Check out the links below if you’d like more information regarding dahlias.
Pretty Pictures of Dahlias
These are definitely a feast for sore eyes and a beautiful end to the summer extravaganza. Click on each picture for the slideshow.
Written by Cinthia Milner, Landscape Consultant and blog writer.
B.B. Barns Garden Center serves all Western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and Tennessee.
