Here in the Northeast, Dahlias are coming into season, so, I thought it would be great time to share some interesting facts about the sublime world of dahlias.

The dahlia flowers and tubers are edible, but I recommend growing them for their beauty instead.

Common Name | Dahlia
Botanical Name | Dahlia
Family | Asteraceae
Type | Tuberous perennial

Origin | Central America

Zone | In 8-11 zones, dahlias can grow and overwinter in your garden. Fortunately for the rest of us in zones 2-7, we can still grow dahlias, but we have to winterize them every year. This means digging up the tubers and keeping them safe until the temperature is appropriate for planting again.

Points of Interest |

• There are 42 species of dahlia and thousands of different varieties.
• The formation of each flower is disc florets inside (stamen) and ray florets outside (petals).
• One head per stem can have anywhere from 200-300 ray florets.
• If you cut a dahlia while still in bud form, it will not bloom as a cut flower. It needs to be three-quarters to fully open before cutting.
• The dahlia flowers and tubers are edible, but I recommend growing them for their beauty instead.

General Care |

• Dahlias prefer moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun.
• Keep well fed with nitrogen rich fertilizer about once a week until blooms appear, then switch to a potassium rich fertilizer.
• Water regularly once plants emerge.
• Deadhead and cut blooms to encourage more.

Purchasing | The best time of year to purchase dahlias is in August for the following spring planting (after the last frost), before they sell out. Here are a few website I have come across for ordering dahlias:

• K Connell Dahlias
• Dahlia Barn
• Longfield Gardens

There is much more to learn about the history of the sublime world of dahlias and their care, but don’t let that stop you from growing your own. They are not as elusive as one might think. The beauty dahlias can bring to your garden and as cut flowers will be a wonderful reward for taking the jump.

Share with me below: What is your favorite dahlia to grow?

FEATURED FLOWER
Cafe au lait dahlia. Photographed @ Anna’s Blooms.

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