Ah, the show stopping, spotlight-stealing dahlia. These gorgeous blooms are so pretty and profuse that they have earned an unfair reputation as high-maintenance and hard-to-grow. Nothing could be further from the truth! Whether you grow them from seeds or tubers, dahlias are so simple to start, tend, and shelter over the winter.
Dahlias might just be the world’s best cutting flower. How many other flowers can create the drama and impact of a full bouquet from just a couple of stems? Each dahlia blossom is a pyrotechnic pinwheel of petals, a spectacular starburst of color. And they are prolific bloomers, too! Once established, dahlias bloom for months without any fuss or bother.
We’re obsessed. And we know you are, too! While Pinetree Garden Seeds has long sold a spectacular array of dahlia seeds, including individual AAS winners and brilliant mixes, we are so excited to be adding fresh tubers to our dahlia offerings in 2021 at our customers’ request. Before we start shipping our latest dahlia offering, we thought we would share a few tips and tricks to getting the most out of these gardening glories!
STARTING DAHLIAS FROM TUBERS
The easiest way to start dahlias is to sprout tubers in late spring that were gathered the previous fall. Pinetree Garden Seeds will start shipping dahlia tubers in mid to late March, in time for spring planting. So, what should you do when your tubers arrive?
If your soil has reached 60 degrees F, you can sow your tubers outdoors in your backyard garden about 18” to 2’ apart. If your soil is not yet that warm, you will want to start your tubers indoors in pots. Make sure the stem or sprout is facing up and cover your tuber with 2” of rich soil and plant out when conditions improve.
STARTING DAHLIAS FROM SEEDS
Starting dahlias from seeds is no trickier than any other seedling. (And you only have to do it once! Taking dahlias up over the winter lets you start next year’s plants from tubers.) They are just a bit slower to germinate than other seeds you might have tried in the past—up to 21 days for some varieties. So don’t give up hope! They will be coming up in good time.
Dahlia seeds will do best if sown 6-10 weeks before the last frost in a seedling mix then transplanted to a rich potting soil and given steady light. Harden and transplant seedlings after the last frost and give them at least 18” to 24” of space. Most dahlias will grow to about two feet in height.
FOUR TIPS TO HELP YOUR DAHLIAS GROW
PROTECT YOUR DAHLIAS OVER THE WINTER
Regardless of your microclimate, dahlias keep dazzling late into the season, long after most other flowers have gone dormant. As they blaze out of early autumn beds it is time to begin thinking of how you can overwinter these floral wonders after the first killing frost.
In some growing zones 8 to 11, dahlias are considered winter-hardy perennials and you need only cut them back to a few inches above soil level for them to survive and begin regrowing in the spring. If you live in zones 2 through 7, however, your winter temperatures dip below 20 degrees F and your dahlias need more protection to power through to spring.
Taking up dahlia tubers is not a complicated process. This step-by-step guide from the Dahlia University shows you exactly how it should be done—with pictures! Once prepared and wrapped, dahlia tubers can be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place but should not be allowed to freeze. See how easy it is to tuck them in for spring?
Are you excited that Pinetree Garden Seeds is now offering dahlia tubers? Which varieties of dahlias are your personal favorites? Share your stories in the comments, reserve your dahlia seeds or tubers, and get ready for a dazzling dahlia season.
I’ve decided to give dahlias another try this year. I like the ones with big showy flowers.
I have grown dahlias for many years, but enjoyed starting plants from seed. I found both small ones and the larger mix you offer all getminatedquickly but got very large too early for me to plant out. Bring in more varieties. I had a bi-colored mix one year I just looked, but no idea of the variety name. It’s nice to not have all large/tall plants, I use lower varieties as a border for my perennials.
Dahlias are my favorite flower to grow. I am so excited that you are now carrying tubers. They really aren’t hard to grow so people shouldn’t shy away from puting these gorgeous beauties in their gardens.
I have always loved dalias the bloom so well and are so colorful.
THANK YOU
Dolores
That is really good information in the Dahlia University (American Dahlia Society) link that you provided. Additionally, I suggest joining a local dahlia society to get excellent advice, mentorship and opportunities for swapping in your region.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Priscilla Stanger
February 02, 2021
I love dahlias and was happy to read your advice on caring for them and getting longer stems. This will allow them to better fit into a cut vase. Thank you.