Prepare for the blooming season of dahlias! Learn effective methods for nurturing and maintaining these vibrant flowers to create a vibrant summer garden.

Rebuilt Dahlia Sojourn

Embrace a stunning revival with the dahlias, making a grand comeback from being dismissed as passe and gaudy! Captivating late summer stunners, these beauties boast an incredible haul of flowers that persist even after the initial frost, given regular deadheading.

Dahlias present a breathtaking array of color—from the demure whites and pastel pinks to fiery yellows, oranges, and reds, to deep magenta and almost ebony shades. The diversity is astounding, with flower shapes ranging from spiky cactus blooms to decorative dahlias, lily-flowered types, and intricate ball and pompon varieties. Single flowered and anemone types offer a pollinator's paradise.

The romantic symphony of dahlias continues with harmonious pairings like cannas, ginger lilies, ornamental grasses, and other late summer inhabitants. Plant them en masse in borders or steer clear of traditional flower beds and cultivate them in a dedicated area on your cutting patch or allotment—these versatile blooms make exquisite cut flowers. For container gardening enthusiasts, compact varieties grow beautifully in pots.

We've put together a roundup of our favorite garden designers' dahlia picks, as well as Sarah Raven's perfect blooms, interesting facts about dahlias, and key tips on growing them.

A Guide To Growing and Planting Dahlias

Seasons of Transformation

Grow dahlias from tubers, cuttings, or seeds—all methods producing flowers in the same year. Remember, dahlias are tender plants that don't withstand frost, thus slated for planting outdoors late May or early June, after the last freeze advisory. For propagation indoors, initiate the process in early spring, in a greenhouse, mini greenhouse, or conservatory, and gradually transplant them outdoors in early summer.

Cultivating Tuber Treasures

The traditional method of cultivating dahlias is via tubers. Order from a specialist distributor in January or earlier.

Beginning in March, place tubers in pots under strong light, holding the temperature at a minimum of 17°C.
Pot tubers in large containers filled with loam-based John Innes No. 2 compost, maintain a moist but not waterlogged soil bed, and keep them warm—preventing frost exposure at all cost. Use thick fleece for insulation on cold nights.
As the plants reveal their third to fourth leaves, pinch the top growth to encourage bushier root systems.
Wait until the first week of June, when plants are approximately 35 cm high, before setting them outdoors. After a week of hardening them, plant them under stakes and water generously until the initial season’s heat decimates. Feed with a potash-rich fertilizer once buds have fully formed and deadhead regularly.

Blossoms From Cuttings

Sourced from a nursery or cultivated from present tubers, cuttings arrive in May.

Prepare 7.5cm plastic pots with John Innes No. 1 compost.
Locate new shoots 75 cm long, cut just above the base where they join the crown. Discard hollow-stemmed cuttings.
Trim leaves carefully, dampen the cut end, immerse it in hormone rooting powder, and insert it into the pot. Firm in, and label.
Place cuttings in a warm propagator, away from direct sunlight, or grow them under a clear polythene bag.
Roots will appear within 20 days. Once new leaves sprout, pot up individually into John Innes No. 2.
And voila—your dahlia cuttings have become new plants!

The Seedy Path To Dahlias

Growing dahlias from seeds is surprisingly simple. Start by sowing seeds indoor in early spring in a greenhouse or heated propagator.

Fill a pot or seed tray with compost, moisturize, and sow your seeds.
Loosely cover them with compost and place a clear polythene bag or propagator lid over the top.
Once the "true" leaves emerge, transplant each seedling into an individual pot.
Hardening off before planting in early June is key to a healthy, frost-resistant plant.
Don’t forget to deadhead and maintain consistent soil moisture!

The Allure of Dahlias

Intricate and exquisite, dahlias enchant with their array of shapes, sizes, and enchanting shades. Their allure stems from their versatility—whether you prefer a demure, single blooming variety or an eye-catching ball, there's a dahlia just for you!

Enrichment Insights:

Soil and Site Selection: Choose a well-draining site that receives a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Dahlias thrive in loamy soil supplemented with aged manure.
Temperature Guidelines: Plant dahlia tubers outdoors 2-4 weeks after the last anticipated spring frost, ensuring nocturnal temperatures exceed 50°F and soil temperatures are around 60°F for optimal growth.
Depth and Orientation: Dig a hole 4-6 inches deep, position the tuber horizontally with the eye facing upward, and cover it with 2-3 inches of soil.
Pinching for Bushier Growth: Once plants reach 12 inches in height, pinch the central stalk to encourage horizontal growth and a bountiful harvest of flowers.
Watering Requirements: Dahlias require consistent moisture, water deeply once the soil's top inch is dry, and avoid moisture-laden soil, especially in cooler conditions.
Fertilizing: Organic matter amendments like aged manure may not necessitate additional fertilizer; otherwise, supplement with a balanced fertilizer at planting and feed with slow-release fertilizer and a bloom booster throughout the season.
Staking and Container Planting: Tall dahlia varieties require support, either through grow-through support hoops, tomato cages, trellis netting, or bamboo and metal stakes. Plant one tuber per container, keeping stakes on hand to prevent damage to tubers.
In Cold Climates: For gardeners in colder regions, wrap tubers after harvesting in newspaper, Store them in a cool location until spring, and plant them in frost-free pots indoors to initiate growth.
Pest Management: Dahlias are generally pest-free, but guard your precious blooms against slugs, snails, and earwigs. Apply slug repellents, or opt for organic methods like beer traps, crushed eggshells, or copper barriers.

Shining Brightly

Unleash your inner gardener and revel in the captivating charm of dahlias! With careful planting, nurturing, and consistent care, these exquisite blooms promise to enhace your living space and steal the show!

References:[1]: RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) - Dahlias[2]: balconygardenweb.com - Dahlia Tubers – How to Plant Your Dahlia Tubers[3]: The Spruce - How to Plant Dahlia Bulbs[4]: contemporaryhousedesigns.net - How to Grow Dahlias from Tubers, Cuttings & Seeds: A Complete Guide[5]: The Spruce - Dahlia Culture: Growing Dahlias

Dahlias, making a comeback in gardens and home interiors, serve as a stunning addition to any home-and-garden lifestyle, providing a burst of color lasting even after the first frost through regular deadheading.
Garden designers and passionate gardening enthusiasts have praised the diversity and charm of dahlias, offering a range from delicate pastel pinks to fiery oranges and reds, with shapes ranging from cactus blooms to pompon varieties.
The guide for growing and planting dahlias includes step-by-step instructions on cultivating tubers, propagating from cuttings, and sowing seeds, ensuring a successful growing season for these beloved flowers.
From soil and site selection to watering requirements and pest management, following the enrichment insights will help you establish a thriving dahlia garden, adding both beauty and fascination to your lifestyle.