Overview
Gardeners delight in the bright color and long-lasting blooms of the popular dahlia plant. This flower has been dubbed "flower of flowers" because of its distinct ornamental appearance. The dahlia is a native plant to the Andes of South America and is the official flower of Mexico. (Aztec dahlias).
Identification
Dahlias grow from tubers, roots that spore in the ground. Prepared in early spring, tubers will produce midsummer blooms. The flowers can be single or double blooms.
Conditions
Soil temperatures should be at least 58 degrees Fahrenheit with no chance of frost before you plant dahlias. Growing dahlias requires soil with good drainage and partial to full sun.
Considerations
Gardeners have a wide selection of dahlia varieties from which to choose. Dahlia plants range from 1 to 6 feet tall. The flowers can be as small as 2 inches or up to a foot in diameter.
Time Frame
With regular deadheading (removing faded flowers), some dahlia varieties will flower for 4 months without interruption.
Function
Dahlias are excellent for providing cut flowers and will bloom vigorously throughout the summer and even up until the first fall frost.
Warning
Slugs, Japanese beetles and other pests can pose a problem for dahlia growers. Treatments include insecticidal soap, commercial pesticide, manual removal and home remedies.
- The American Dahlia Society
- Professor's House
- Dutch Gardens
- Aztec Dahlias
- "1001 Hints and Tips for Your Garden"; Reader's Digest Association; 1996
Keywords:
dahlias, growing dahlias, producing dahlias, how to grow dahlias
About this Author
Loraine Degraff has been a writer and educator since 1999. She recently began focusing on topics pertaining to health and environmental issues. She is published in "Healthy Life Place" and "Humdinger" and also writes for Suite101. Degraff holds a Master's degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute.
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