Dahlia flowers are popular landscape plants known for their wide range of colors, heights and forms.
These versatile flowers are ideal for novice gardeners.
Dahlias, which can grow as either annuals or perennials, are plants that produce striking colorful flowers.
They hybridise very easily and by the late 19th Century more than a hundred different varieties were listed.
Dahlias do best in well-drained humus rich soil and full light.
Although they cant take cold temperatures, they do benefit from cooler climates with much rainfall.
They bloom from mid-summer through the first frost and can look even more spectacular in cool weather.
Single-flowering dahlias have a single row of petals, while anemone dahlias have an additional ring of small petals.
Ball dahlias are somewhat flattened and ball-shaped with full double blooms.
Pompon dahlias are similar to ball dahlias, but are smaller and more globular.
Diseases and Pests of Dahlias
Bacterial wilt causes wilting and stems to drop.
Infected stems show a soft wet rot near the soil.
Bacteriosis, which is linked with a foul odor, causes stem softening and browning.
It causes the pitch to blacken and become moist with the rot going into bark.
Botrytis Blight or gray mold is a fungus occurring during high humidity.
Common pests are aphids, mites, slugs and deer.
Other pests that sometimes attack dahlias are thrips, caterpillars, earwigs and wasps.
Soil Amendments for Dahlias
For richness, many gardeners amend the soil each spring at planting time.
(The preferred soil pH for dahlias is about 6.5, just to the acid side of neutral.)
Loosen the soil and work in the amendments to about ten inches deep.
Fertilizing Dahlias
Since dahlias are heavy feeders, most gardeners fertilize them.
Stake and Label Dahlias
Taller plants need to be tied or staked.
It is better to insert the stake at planting time to avoid risk of damaging the tuber.
Label your plants with the variety name if you know it, or by a description.
This is useful when it is time to replant next year.
Dig or Lift Dahlias in Fall
Dahlias are winter hardy to about USDA zone 8.
Or, you’ve got the option to purchase new ones each spring.
Its up to you!
Simple care and cultivation will give stunning displays of colorful flower.
They may also need protection from pests and diseases.
An exciting bonus when growing dahlias is that it s easy to breed new dahlia varieties.
Finally, gardeners new to growing dahlia flowers can enjoy experimenting with the different varieties.
