Growing Dahlias in your Garden
Dahlias are some of the most timeless and best-loved flowers in the garden— as well as some of the showiest of cutting flowers! And on top of all of that, dahlias have such a wide range of colors, forms, and sizes that there is literally a dahlia for everyone and every garden or situation.
They are also fairly easy to grow. In fact, The American Dahlia Society insists that if you can grow tomatoes, you can grow dahlias! Here are some of the most common dahlia varieties, plus tips on how to grow these popular summer bloomers.
Big Beautiful Dahlias
Decorative: While it could be argued that all dahlias are decorative, this group of dahlias offers unusual colorations and styles as well as many heirloom varieties. Decorative dahlias typically have flat petals with either a distinct, even pattern or an irregular, random pattern.
- Edge of Joy
- American Sun
- American Dawn
- Hawaii
Dinnerplate: Living up to their name, Dinnerplate dahlias are the stunning giants of the dahlia world, growing up to 5’ tall (see staking tips below!) with flowers that are up to 10” across!
- Striped Emory Paul
- Otto’s Thrill
- Alva’s Supreme
- Jocondo
Waterlily: With rounded, broad petals and flattened centers, Waterlily dahlias usually grow 2-3’ tall but with surprisingly large, fully double blooms up to 5” across. Resembling actual waterlily flowers, they are excellent as cutting flowers in bouquets and arrangements.
- Priceless Pink
- Serkan
- Apricot Desire
- Caballero.
Cactus and Semi-Cactus: These blooms have tightly rolled, almost fringed petals that have a spiky or pointy appearance, hence their name. Semi-cactus dahlia petals have a bit of a broader base than their Cactus cousins, but both tend to require less staking than other dahlia varieties.
- Nuit D’ete
- Striped Vulcan
Dainty Darling Dahlias
Anemone-Flowered: Anemone dahlias have a center of tubular florets fringed with a few rows of open, rather than curled, petals. They typically grow 2-4’ tall, but some get as tall as 6 feet.
- Edge of Joy
- Fascination
- Purple Haze
Mignon: Mignons have a single row of petals emerging from a contrasting center, creating a daisy-like appearance on a 2” diameter bloom. They are often compact — making them ideal for borders or containers — with dark-colored leaves.
- Giselle
- Bishop of Llandaff
- Impression Famosa
Ball and Pom Pon: The rounded, globe-shaped blooms are 2-4” across and feature tightly rolled or rolled petals — with Pom Pons usually a bit smaller than the Ball varieties.
- Boom Boom Yellow
- Boom Boom Red
- Franz Kafka
- Mirella/Stolze Von Berlin
Compact: Also called “border dahlias,” these are smaller varieties, growing just 12-18” tall with blooms that are about 4” in diameter. And, because of their shorter height, they don’t require the staking that the taller varieties demand.
- Monet
- Art Deco
- Melody Gypsy
Dahlia Growing Tips
- Dahlias are tubers, and are planted in the spring after danger of frost has passed. Plant them about the same time as you plant your tomatoes, and up to mid-June.
- Choose a site that has well-drained soil and part to full sun.
- Plant the tuber several inches deep with the “eye” facing upwards. The eye is the narrower end of the tuber where the plant sprouts.
- Planting more than one dahlia tuber? Plant them 2’ apart to give them each room to grow.
- Add a stake at planting time, or use a tomato cage — dahlias tend to get big and need extra support. Tie the plant to the stake in several locations as it grows.
- Water about 1” per week.
- After the first frost, dig up and store your dahlia tubers for the winter.