Dahlias
Uses:
- Garden Borders
- Late Season Flowers
- Containers & Planters
Features:
- Big Showy Flowers
- Cut Flower Arrangements
- Attracts Pollinators
Sunlight:
- Full Sun
- 6+ Hours of Direct Sun
Dahlia plants have big showy flowers in several colors that bloom from spring until late fall. Great for cut flower gardens, pollinators & container gardens!
Why Buy Dahlias Online
Dahlias grow from small tubers underground, and the stems sprout from the tubers. There are more than 40 species and dahlia, plus hundreds of hybrids to choose from to brighten any late summer garden. Dahlias are low maintenance annuals that bloom continuously from spring to late fall. Dahlias resist nearly all pests, but you might have to protect them from slugs.
How To Use Dahlia In The Garden
Plant dahlia in large containers as a thriller. Use dahlias on your property in garden planters, mass plantings, and as low garden borders. Dahlia heights vary, but most grow to about 18 inches high and wide. The flowers grow in a number of forms, such as balls, orchid, or pompon styles. These are quick-growing annuals that eventually bush out.
Pull the plants up once they get hit by frost, chop off the stems a few inches above the tubers and wash them off, then dry in the sun. Store dry tubers in peat moss or sawdust and replant in spring after the last frost. Most dahlias are winter hardy to growing zones 8 to 11, and summer annuals in other zones. The plants prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sunlight.
Container thriller
Cut flowers
Typically 18 inches tall & wide
Growing zones 8 to 11 as perennials
Grown as annuals in colder regions
About Dahlias
Genus
Species
Family
Dahlia
40 +
Asteraceae
Common Names:
Mexican Aster, Ball Dahlia
Native To:
Mexico, Central America, and Colombia
Plant Type:
Annuals
Foliage Type:
Herbaceous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
8 -10
Flower Color:
Flower Bloom Time:
Mid-summer to fall
Growth Habit:
Clumping, upright
Attracts:
Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Tolerates:
Drought, Heat, Humidity
Resists:
Deer, some pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies
How To Use Dahlias In The Garden
Dahlias, originally from Mexico, are well-known for their wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. These tuberous plants are prolific bloomers from summer through fall. A single tuber can multiply significantly within a season and create new plants to spread around the garden and share with friends. With plant heights ranging from compact 1-foot varieties to towering species reaching up to 18 feet, dahlias have many uses in garden design.
Place shorter dahlias at the front of borders or in containers, where their unique blooms can be admired up close. Tuck taller varieties among perennials or ornamental grasses so their heavier stems are supported and lower foliage is hidden. Group them in sunny locations where consistent deadheading and occasional staking can keep plants looking neat. Consider selecting multiple sizes and colors to add eye-catching late-season interest and provide long-lasting cut flowers.
Dahlias Care
Plant dahlias in a sunny spot with at least six hours of light daily. Use well-draining soil with a pH of 6.5–7.0, and amend heavy soils for better drainage. Water sparingly until sprouts emerge, then provide about an inch weekly. Fertilize with low-nitrogen formulas like 5-10-10 to encourage growth and flowers.
Pinch stems early for bushier growth and deadhead regularly to extend blooming. In zones 8–10, cut back foliage after frost and mulch; in colder zones, dig up, clean, and store tubers in a cool, dry spot. For container growth, use a high-quality potting mix, water frequently, and fertilize bi-weekly during the growing season.
Learn More About Dahlias
Dahlia Companion Plants
Dahlias grow from small tubers underground, and the stems sprout from the tubers. There are more than 40 species and dahlia, plus hundreds of hybrids to choose from to brighten any late summer garden. Dahlias are low maintenance annuals that bloom continuously from spring to late fall. Dahlias resist nearly all pests, but you might have to protect them from slugs.
