If you ever pop over to see me on Instagram, you will know that I’m a tad obsessed with my dahlias. I don’t like to call myself an expert, but I’ll happily take the label ‘enthusiast’. The capacity of my garden to produce riotous, unending basketfuls of color is something I find quite intoxicating.
I often say that dead-heading is boring, but bringing color indoors is fun … and achieves the same result! I have cut my dahlias for bouquets 2-3 times a week for the past couple of months, filling vases in my home and gifting huge bunches of blooms to my friends. I’m fortunate to have my office at home, and when the emails get too many, I love to leave my desk and wander in the garden for half an hour, secateurs in hand. Color therapy is a real thing.
This year has been a great year for dahlias, the warmth, the occasional rain, and the clement Fall makes for a growing season that started late June, and is still going strong as we head towards the end of October.
I have a couple of favorites this year. First of all, my classics, like Café au Lait, Penhill Watermelon, and Penhill Dark Monarch. Omega has been spectacular, and of course, the dinner plate-sized heads of Emory Paul never fail to cause a stir.
But I have some new stars too. Breakout was absolutely amazing, as was Big Brother. I definitely have a preference for the large, fluffy dahlias, but I also grow smaller pompoms to add variety and allow for making smaller bouquets with more variety of shape.
Don’t forget the other autumn blooms that cohabit perfectly with dahlias, and that you’ll be grateful to use in bouquets too. I’m thinking about Cosmos, many different varieties of Salvia, zinnia, and japanese anemone. And since the dahlias start blooming so early, they also work very well with roses.
My tips that I’ve learnt along the way:
- Good soil is everything. Here we mulch the whole garden in the fall, and again partially in the spring.
- Don’t forget to stake – it’s tedious to do but so worthwhile.
- Pick, and pick, and pick again. Dahlias are a plant that produces more providing it is cut. If you stop cutting it will slow down production. Don’t be afraid to cut longer and thicker branches, they will grow again quickly.
- Do I lift my dahlias? I used to, but I don’t anymore. We are in a climate where our winters get cold but not too extreme. I’ve found that dahlias can survive in the ground fairly happily. I may lose a couple, but no more than I would lose when I lifted them and stored them in a cellar for the winter.
- Divide and take cuttings to increase the number of plants. The only reason I’ll be lifting any dahlias this fall, is because there are certain varieties that I’m keen to divide and multiply.
I know that a lot of you are also growing dahlias, and that like me, you’ve worked out what thrives in your part of the world. I’d love to know which varieties have been your favorites this year? What’s the single most surprising thing you’ve learned when growing your own flowers? If you are thinking about dahlias, are there any tips that you may have or follow?
34 comments
Your dahlias are spectacular. Mine were not as good this year as other years, but they are still blooming. Next year I hope to plant more spectacular pinks and burgundy colours. Cosmos have done extremely well and will likely continue to provide bouquets until the first frost which could come at any time.
I’m thinking about planting some dahlias next year after seeing this. Plants vs Brainrots \?
Ohh, beautiful, beautiful Dahlias – love them so much:-)
I love them too! Here in Virginia US, they are late to bloom – the 95º temps were hard on them. They did not bloom until very late August here.
They are still blooming, we have not had a killing frost yet.
I am not sure whether I will dig them up or not….
It’s interesting to see how different my Breakout, Penhill and Labyrinth look from yours! I think location and weather make a difference!!
So you never dig them up?? Interesting!
Absolutely stunning!
Your dahlias are always spectacular! I love the amazing array of colours and styles. So beautiful! I haven’t tried growing them yet, but they seem to grow very well in New Zealand.
Your dahlias are simply glorious! I haven’t had any luck growing them in my Zone 4; I didn’t dig them up last fall, and consequently not a one came up this season:-(
However, reading your article gives me fresh resolve….and I’m going to study over the winter and plant them again next season! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Dahlias are absolutely one of my favourite flowers! I have been so busy with other plants ( mostly roses , hydrangeas and evergreens trees) that I have not gotten around to selecting and planting any dahlias this last year. I had planted a few two years ago but sadly, they did not do well. We have fairly heavy clay soil in my part of Virginia so possibly they did not like the location? Seeing your beautiful photos has motivated me to give it another try for the next season! Thank you for sending your information on planting tips as well!
Sharon, I do not have enough space to grow all the varieties I want so divide and give to friends.
I never lift but collect leaves from my fig and all the other leaves that fall in my garden and mulch the plants with these at least 6-9 inches deep. Then I cover with large empty compost bags to keep most of the rain off. Finally boards, and any weighty objects I have to stop the plastic blowing around.
I have never lost a plant.
I live in E Anglia UK
ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE ❤️❤️❤️
I loved your article on Dahlias. What a chic flower that enhances one’s flower displays. The variety of colors look like delicious sherbet! Will try not to lift them but I’m in Pennsylvania & winters can be cold so my husband always dug them up.
Inspired by your glorious dahlias, I am about to begin the adventure. I am in Melbourne Aus, ending Spring and coming into Summer. Just received my tubers in the mail, excited and ready to get planting.
I planted Dahlias for the first time in my first house in April. Our home was very old and the previous owner was a gardener. These were dinner plate dahlias, and truly amazingly dinner plate size. Since then, we are now in another home, my ‘dinner plate’ dahlias never grew to be that large. I just read the sources who cover with leaves and a board. I will see if this works for us. We are in zone 6 usa. Dahlia’s are exquisite and exotic. The variety of petal design and colors are incredible. We went to a flower cutting garden recently and they will sell their tubers in the spring. I will be there to find and plant for their unique colors and petals.
Love all of your posts! I especially love the dahlias. They are one of my favorite cutting flowers and yours are absolutely spectacular!
Hi Sharon, I’ve been trying to find Vicki Archer, I remember reading about your friendship and wondering if you can update me as to where to follow her ?
Love receiving your emails!
Thank you,
Linda
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