Become a Member
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Pinterest
  • New Plants
    • New Plants Search
    • Green Thumb Award Winners
  • Year Of Plants
    • Year of the Amaryllis
      • Amaryllis Pictures
    • Year of the Broccoli
      • Broccoli Pictures
    • Year of the Celosia
      • Celosia Pictures
    • Year of the Orchid
      • Orchid Pictures
    • Year of the Rudbeckia
      • Rudbeckia Pictures
    • Year of the Spirea
      • Spirea Pictures
    • 2022 Year Of Plants
      • Year of the Gladiolus
        • Gladiolus Pictures
      • Year of the Lilac
        • Lilac Pictures
      • Year of the Peperomia
        • Peperomia Pictures
      • Year of the Phlox
        • Phlox Pictures
      • Year of the Salad Greens
        • Salad Greens Pictures
      • Year of the Verbena
        • Verbena Pictures
    • 2021 Year Of Plants
      • Year of the Hardy Hibiscus
        • Hardy Hibiscus Pictures
      • Year of the Garden Bean
        • Garden Bean Pictures
      • Year of the Hyacinth
        • Hyacinth Pictures
      • Year of the Monarda
        • Monarda Pictures
      • Year of the Sunflower
        • Sunflower Pictures
        • #YearoftheSunflower Video Contest Winners
    • 2020 Year Of Plants
      • Year of the Lavender
        • Lavender Pictures
      • Year of the Lantana
        • Lantana Pictures
      • Year of the Hydrangea
        • Hydrangea Pictures
      • Year of the Iris
        • Iris Pictures
      • Year of the Corn
        • Corn Pictures
    • 2019 Year Of Plants
      • Year of the Snapdragon
        • Snapdragon Pictures
      • Year of the Dahlia
        • Dahlia pictures
      • Year of the Pumpkin
        • Pumpkin Pictures
      • Year of the Salvia nemorosa
        • Salvia nemorosa pictures
    • 2018 Year Of Plants
      • Year of the Coreopsis
        • Coreopsis Pictures
      • Year of the Tulip
        • Tulip Pictures
      • Year of the Calibrachoa
        • Calibrachoa Pictures
      • Year of the Beet
        • Beet Pictures
    • 2017 Year Of Plants
      • Year of the Daffodil
        • Daffodil Pictures
      • Year of the Brassica
        • Brassica Pictures
      • Year of the Rose
        • Rose Pictures
      • Year of the Pansy
        • Pansy Pictures
  • Combo Ideas
  • Inspiration
    • NGB Blog
    • FAQs
    • Newsletter
    • Pinterest
    • Promote Gardening
    • #YearoftheSunflower Video Contest Winners
    • Snapdragon Video Winners
  • Education
    • Member Blogs
    • Books
    • Online Courses
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Products
    • Garden Books
    • Garden Décor
    • Garden Tools
    • Green Thumb Award Winners
  • Shop Members
    • United States
    • Canada
  • Garden Grant
    • Grant Application
    • Therapeutic Grant Program
  • Contact
There's a Dahlia for Every Garden and Gardener - Year of the Dahlia - National Garden Bureau

There’s A Dahlia for Every Garden and Gardener

Flower GardeningMarch 7, 2019gail

Few plants can rival the flowering power of a dahlia.

These spring-planted bulbs start blooming in midsummer and continue for months, closing out the growing season with a blaze of color and beauty. No matter what size or type of garden you have, dahlias will claim center stage and put on a sensational show.

Dahlias are available in a dazzling array of colors and shapes, with flower sizes that range from two to ten inches across. There are dahlias suitable for cutting gardens, perennial gardens, landscaping, and containers. It’s no wonder the National Garden Bureau has declared 2019 The Year of the Dahlia. To help you navigate the choices, check out this guide to Dahlia Flower Types and Sizes from Longfield Gardens.

Dahlia Tubers Plant the sweet potato-like tubers in well-drained soil, either in the garden or in containers. - Year of the Dahlia - National Garden Bureau

Dahlia Tubers

Growing dahlias is easier than you may think.

Plant the tuberous roots in well-drained soil, either in the garden or in containers. Wait until late spring, when the weather has settled and there’s no danger of frost. To ensure you get lots of flowers, give your dahlias full sun and consistent moisture all summer long. In fact, simply treat them as you would a tomato plant and you’ll be wildly successful.

For big flowers with a dramatic presence, choose a dinnerplate dahlia.

These bodacious beauties command your attention in the garden and in a vase. The 8 to 10” blossoms grow on bushy plants that stand four to five feet tall. Grow them at the back of a perennial border or in a cutting garden and use a sturdy stake to help support the extra-large blossoms. It takes just a few stems to make a gorgeous summer bouquet.

Dinnerplate Dahlia Cafe au Lait - Longfield Gardens _ Year of the Dahlia - National Garden Bureau

Dahlia Cafe Au Lait

Semi-Cactus Dahlia-Yellow-Star - Longfield Gardens - Year of the Dahlia - National Garden Bureau

Dahlia Yellow Star

Cactus and semi-cactus dahlias will add a special twist to your garden.

These flowers have rolled or partially rolled petals that end in a point, making the blossoms look like stars. Cactus dahlias hold up well to adverse weather and their unusual texture makes them prized cut flowers.

Mid-size dahlia plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and have 4” to 8” blossoms.

They are good companions for other plants in containers and in the garden. Mix them with bold, leafy elephant ears; Lacinato kale or Swiss chard; finely-textured ornamental grasses and gaura; upright salvias or trailing plants like calibrachoa and verbena. Their grand, midsummer entrance will brighten your garden and containers throughout the remainder of the growing season.

Dahlia Creme de Cassis - Longfield Gardens - Year of the Dahlia - National Garden Bureau

Dahlia Creme de Cassis

Border Dahlia - Gallery Pablo - Longfield Gardens - Year of the Dahlia - National Garden Bureau

Dahlia Gallery Pablo

For lining a walkway, edging the front of a flower border or filling containers on a patio, choose border dahlias.

These compact plants grow just 15 to 18” tall yet produce full-size blossoms for a dazzling display of color. Varieties such as hot pink Gallery Bellini or pale-yellow Gallery Serenade cover themselves with flowers from July right through September.

Dahlias thrive in the same great soil as vegetables, so consider adding a few plants to your food garden as well.

You’ll be able to cut blooms for the dinner table when harvesting vegetables for your next meal.

Dahlia Karma Logoon - Longfield Gardens - Year of the Dahlia - National Garden Bureau

Dahlia Karma Lagoon

In most parts of the country, dahlia tubers won’t survive the winter outdoors.

Though you can dig and save the tubers from one year to the next, it’s easier to treat them as annuals. This way you can choose new varieties each year and get to enjoy the full range of what these amazing plants have to offer.

Written by Melinda Meyers

“This post is provided as an educational/inspirational service of the National Garden Bureau and our members. Please credit and link to National Garden Bureau and author member when using all or parts of this article.”
Previous post Create Your Own Cut Flower Garden Next post Grow Your Own Scent Garden

4 comments. Leave new

Sains Data
February 9, 2023 3:20 pm

Can dahlia flowers live in slightly hot and windy temperatures?

Reply
National Garden Bureau
February 13, 2023 4:10 pm

Dahlias originated in the mountains of Mexico and Central America, where summer days are warm and nights are cool. Here is an excellent Dahlia Growing Guide pdf from the Dahlia Society of Georgia that will be helpful. Enjoy

Reply
National Garden Bureau
May 8, 2019 12:19 pm

Laura, unless you are in a very warm climate, dahlias do need at least 8 hours of sun per day to flourish.

Reply
Laura Clayton
May 8, 2019 12:04 am

I Absolutely LoVe Dahlias. Bought 10 from Breck’s this year. Anxious to see how they do… Question: Are all Dahlias Sun to Part Shade or do some prefer different..
Thanks in Advance,
Laura L.Clayton

Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Follow Blog via Email

Sign-Up to receive notifications of our new posts.

Search

Topics

  • DIY Crafts & Gifts
  • Flower Shows and Festivals
  • Garden Grant Recipients
  • Gardening as Therapy
  • Gardening Books
  • How-to
  • Indoor Gardening
  • Kid's Gardening
  • Planning and Design
    • Backyard Habitat
    • Container Gardening
    • Garden Planning & Design
    • Perennials
    • Plants for Shade
  • Plant Care
    • Pests and Diseases
    • Plant Care & Maintenance
    • Soil, Compost and Mulch
    • Winter Gardening
  • Planting
    • Flower Gardening
    • Foodscaping
    • Herbs
    • Planting Tips
    • Seeds and Seed Starting
    • Vegetables
  • Pollinator Gardening
  • Recipes

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017

Contact

National Garden Bureau
5201 Walnut Ave., Suite 3
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-963-0770
Email

Quick Links

New Plants
2022 Year Of Plants
Inspiration
Shop Our Members
National Promotions
Garden Grant
AAS Winners
Video Contest Winners

About NGB

Who We Are
Become a Member
Member Directory
Member Photo Libraries
NGB in the News

Newsletter Sign-Up

Sign-Up for our Newsletter Here

Copyright © 2023 National Garden Bureau. All rights reserved.