Vineyard Gardens

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DAHLIAS

Karen Logan

DAHLIAS

Dahlias are colorful flowers which generally bloom from midsummer to first frost. Dahlias come in a rainbow of colors and range in size from 2 to 10-inch blooms. Some varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall. Best in full sun.

At Vineyard Gardens, we carry a variety of dahlias. We grow Redskin, Bishops Children and Collarette mix from seed.  We also bring in 20-30 varieties in tubers. These are the best cut flower dahlias. They will grow 3-5 ft tall in one season and will produce many flowers per tuber. If planted early and deep enough they should not need staking. We sell the plants forced in pots to give our customers a head start and also sell the tubers in the retail store.

  • Thomas Edison and Snow Country are our best sellers

  • Ottos Thrill, Firepot and Karma fuschiana are also popular decorative types

  • Tahiti Sunrise is a popular cactus dahlia with their incurved petals

HELPFUL TIPS ON GROWING DAHLIAS

Dahlias have tubers that thrive in good soil and respond well to feedings. With a well prepared soil-bed dahlias will grow quickly.

  • Dig deep holes in full sun for dahlia tubers to be placed

  • Enrich the soil with compost and work in a good organic fertilizer

  • Arrange the tuber bunch with points facing down

  • Firm the soil around and over the clump

  • Set one or two stakes (with twine ready) to support the stems as they grow

  • Water well

Staking Dahlias

Staking is crucial when growing big dahlia plants. The beautiful foliage grows on brittle stems and heavy rain, wind or the weight of the flowers can break the plant.

Saving Dahlia Tubers in Fall

  • Pull up the plants (once first frost hits and dahlia flower has died)

  • Cut off the stems a few inches above the tuber

  • Wash off the dirt

  • Set the tubers in the sun to dry

  • Once they're dry, put them in a paper bag with sawdust or peat moss

  • Store them in a cool non-freezing spot in the cellar or garage until next spring

  • In spring you can either divide them, at least 3 eyes per clump, or leave them whole for to achieve big growth.

Cutting Dahlia Flowers

To cut dahlias for your flower arrangements, choose whole stems and try to maintain the basic shape of your plant. It will quickly try to replace the branch you remove, and the buds will keep coming  up until first frost.