Grow Dahlias - Your Guide to Planting and Care

Welcome to a world of colors and shapes! In this post, we explore how you can successfully plant and care for dahlias, one of the garden's most spectacular flowers. These floral gems offer incredible variety in color, size, and form, making them a favorite among gardeners and flower enthusiasts. Join us on a journey through the wonderful world of dahlias!

Why Plant Dahlias?

Dahlias are known for their impressive diversity and beauty. With over 20,000 varieties and a color palette ranging from pastel shades to deep, saturated colors, there is a dahlia for every taste and garden style. Their flowering period is also remarkable, often from mid-summer until the first frosty nights. Dahlias not only bring life and color to your garden, but they are also popular as cut flowers, making them a versatile favorite.

Choosing the Right Dahlia Varieties

Choosing the right dahlia varieties for your garden can be both exciting and overwhelming given the vast selection. For a classic garden style, consider varieties like 'Café au Lait' with its soft, creamy shades, or 'Bishop of Llandaff' with deep red flowers and dark foliage. If you're looking for something more dramatic, try 'Thomas Edison' with its intensely purple flowers. For smaller gardens or pots, opt for compact varieties like 'Gallery Art Nouveau.' Consider flower size, color, and plant height when planning your garden to create a harmonious and appealing overall look.

Dahlia Planting Time

The best time to plant dahlias is during spring when the risk of frost is over. In most climates, this usually means from late April to early June. Dahlias thrive in warmth and should not be planted outdoors until the soil temperature is consistently above 15 degrees Celsius. In colder climates, you can start growing dahlias indoors in pots and then transplant them outdoors when the weather allows.

Choosing the Right Planting Location for Dahlias

Dahlias love sun and warmth, so choose a location in the garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Ensure the site has good drainage to prevent water from stagnating at the roots, which can cause rot. If your garden is prone to strong winds, it may be beneficial to plant dahlias near a protective wall or fence.

Soil and Preparation for Planting

Nutrient-rich, well-drained soil is ideal for dahlias. Work the soil thoroughly and add compost or organic material to improve nutrition and drainage. If your soil is particularly clayey or sandy, amend it with compost and possibly sand to improve the structure. A pH value between 6.5 and 7.0 is best for dahlias.

Essential Tools for Planting Dahlias:

To plant dahlias effectively, you should have the following tools on hand:

Spades and shovels for digging and preparing the planting area.
Hand tools such as a planting trowel and weeder for fine-tuning.
Watering cans and a hose for regular irrigation.
Support stakes or trellises to support taller varieties.
Protective gloves to safeguard your hands while working.
Possibly a pH meter to check the soil acidity.

With the right preparations and tools, you are ready to create a blooming oasis of dahlias in your garden!

Planting Dahlia Tubers - Here's How!

Choose the Right Location: Ensure the location has good sun exposure and drainage.
Digging Depth: Dig holes that are about 15 cm deep.
Placement of Tubers: Place the tubers with the "eyes" (the starting point of shoots) facing upward.
Covering: Cover the tubers with soil and press gently to stabilize them.
Marking: Mark where you planted the tubers so you don't forget their location.
Water Lightly: Water lightly after planting to help the soil settle.

Watering and Feeding Dahlias

Watering: Dahlias need regular watering, especially during dry periods. Ensure the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Start fertilizing dahlias when you see the first shoots. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Fertilize every fourth to sixth week during the growing season for best results.

Support for Large Varieties:

When should I provide support?: Tall dahlia varieties often need support to prevent them from breaking in the wind or under the weight of their flowers. Install supports early, preferably at the time of planting.
What type of support?: Use support stakes, bamboo stakes, or trellises. You can also use the surroundings as support, such as railings, as long as they do not hinder the dahlia from getting the space it needs.
How do I attach the support? Attach the stems gently to the support with soft ties or special plant-binding wire to avoid damaging the stems.

Dahlia Care During the Season:

Pruning: Regularly remove faded flowers (deadheading) to encourage new flowers to grow.
Pest Protection: Keep an eye out for pests like slugs and aphids. Use eco-friendly methods like neem oil or handpicking to keep them away.
Disease Prevention: Be vigilant for signs of diseases such as mold or root rot. Good air circulation and well-drained soil can prevent many problems.

Overwintering and Storing Dahlia Tubers

After the First Frost: When the first frost has killed the leaves, cut the stems down to a few centimeters above the ground.
Dig Up the Tubers: Gently dig up the dahlia tubers and clean them from soil.
Drying and Storage: Let the tubers dry for a few days. Then store them in peat, sawdust, or paper bags in a cool, frost-free place during winter.

Propagation of Dahlias

Division: Divide dahlia tubers in spring before planting. Ensure each division has at least one "eye." Eyes on dahlia tubers look like small outward-protruding dots, almost as if the dahlia tuber has acquired a variant of acne or small pimples.
Cuttings: Take cuttings from young shoots in spring. Plant in moist soil and keep them moist until they have rooted.

Common Problems and Solutions in Dahlia Planting

Yellowing Leaves: Often a sign of overwatering. Reduce watering and ensure the soil is well-drained.
Dahlia Mosaic Virus: Characterized by mosaic-like patterns on the leaves. Unfortunately, there is no treatment, and infected plants should be removed to prevent spreading.
Tuber Rot: Caused by overly wet soil. Ensure good drainage and avoid planting in the same location if root problems have occurred.

Grow Your Own Dahlias!

Growing dahlias is a wonderful journey filled with color, form, and beauty. From choosing the right variety to planting, caring, and overwintering, dahlias offer a unique and rewarding gardening experience.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or a beginner, dahlias are a fantastic addition to your garden. And remember, everything you need to succeed with your dahlias—from tools to tubers—can be found with us at by Benson. We have a wide range of garden accessories perfect for your dahlia project. So why not take the leap and start your journey with dahlias today? Their magnificent flowers are eagerly waiting to brighten up your garden!