About Dahila's

Dahlias, belonging to the genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants, are native to Mexico and Central America. The first recorded sighting of these vibrant flowers dates back to 1525. They are part of the Asteraceae family, which includes familiar plants like the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. With 49 different species, dahlias come in a wide range of colors, except for blue, and are popularly grown as garden plants due to their striking beauty.

Growth Habitat: These exquisite perennials have tuberous roots and may require protection from frost in colder climates. While some varieties have herbaceous stems, others develop woody stems that go dormant during winter and sprout new growth in the following seasons.
Size: Dahlia stems can range from 12 inch to 6 feet in height, with an array of flower forms available, from small blooms to larger ones resembling a "dinner plate." Most species do not produce scented flowers but compensate with their vibrant colors that cater to pollinators.
Bloom Time: On average dahlias will bloom 90 days after being planted. Bloom month depends on when they are planted and the climate they are planted in. Here in Washington State we typically see Blooms End of July thru the summer to the first hard frost. Under the right condition’s in certain climates Dahlia’s can bloom year round.
Cultural Significance: Dahlia’s are the national flower of Mexico, representing the country’s history, culture, and identity. They are featured in the festivals such as the Day of the Dead. For the US Dahlias are celebrated in floral festivals, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. They are associated with gratitude and appreciation.
Growing Conditions: Dahlias thrive in full sun, so make sure to plant them in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. They prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The ideal soil pH for dahlias is slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.5 to 7.0.
Care and Maintenance: When it comes to watering, dahlias like consistent moisture but don't do well in waterlogged soil. Water the plants deeply, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Fertilize and monitor for disease, virus, and pests.

Steps to planting Dahlia's

01

Timing

Plant dahlia tubers in your area in the spring after the last frost date.
02

Choosing

Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Dahlias thrive in full sun.
03

Preparing

Prepare the soil by adding compost or aged manure and mixing well to incorporate the organic matter. It is ideal to test your soil to see what additives may be necessary.
04

Digging

Dig a hole about 6-8 inches deep and mix in some compost or organic matter to enrich the soil.
05

Placing

Place the dahlia tuber in the hole with the eyes facing up. The eyes are small buds on the tuber from which the plant will sprout.
06

Spacing

Space multiple tubers at least 1-2 feet apart to allow room for the plants to grow.
07

Watering

Do not water until you see green growth above ground. Overwatering can cause the tubers to rot.
08

Multching

Consider adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
09

Support

Tall dahlia varieties may need staking for support as they grow. Install stakes or support structures when planting or soon after to avoid damaging the plant later.
10

Care

Monitor the plants for watering needs depending on your weather conditions, fertilize periodically with a low-nitrogen fertilizer, and follow any specific care instructions for the dahlia variety you are planting.

Dahlia Flower Forms

Formal Decorative: Petals arranged in a flat, broad, and smooth pattern that gently curve towards the stem in a regular formation.
Semi-Cactus: Petals that are broad at the base, straight or slightly inwardly curved, reflexing uniformly towards the stem.
Incurved Cactus: Petals characterized by a pointed tip, narrow base, uniform length, curving upwards towards the bloom face, or swirling horizontally.
Ball: Blooms are characterized by a spherical shape, uniform florets that reflex towards the stem, and completely fill the floral head without notches or points.
Pompon: Petals are similar to those of a ball flower, but smaller, typically less than two inches in diameter.
Waterlily: The flower features cupped petals with rounded tips, giving a flat side view that ranges from saucer-shaped to a closed center, while the face remains open to create a delicate appearance.
Peony: A dahlia variety characterized by two to five rows of broad, slightly cupped petals encircling an open center, with petals that lay flat and do not curve towards the stem.
Novelty: Open-centered dahlia with a unique appearance markedly different from other forms, distinguished by a disc center that is proportionate to the surrounding petals.
Orchid: A dahlia variety displaying a single row of evenly spaced petals that are uniform in size and shape, arranged in a flat plane around the open center, with the petal tips gently rolled in.
Mignon Single: A dahlia variety with the same arrangement as single dahlias, except the petals have rounded tips and are smaller in diameter, typically measuring less than two inches across.
Informal Decorative: Petals exhibiting twists, curls, or waves, with uniform size and arranged irregularly. Petals may be involute or revolute.
Straight Cactus: Petals with a narrow base, straight, and of uniform length, reflexing towards the stem in an even manner from the center.
Laciniated: Petals that are split at the tip, with the degree of splitting varying based on the size of the petal.
Miniature Ball: Similar to a ball flower, but smaller in size, typically ranging between 2 to 3.5 inches in diameter.
Stellar: Petals are long and narrow, with pointed tips resembling a star, and they tend to recurve towards the stem.
Novelty: Fully double with a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from other forms, characterized by good symmetry, a tight closed center, and petal arrangement that differs from other flower forms.