Dahlias are one of the most delightful plants for the summer garden. With hundreds, if not thousands of varieties available, in nearly every shade, colour and shape imaginable, they are a wonderful addition to nearly any garden. Their biggest claim to fame is the abundance of blooms they generate. In fact, the more blooms you pick, the more blooms you will get! If the weather cooperates, they will bloom from summer until frost.
This year, we are product to offer 11 new to us varieties including 3 colourful companion packs.
Manhattan Lights Colourful Companion Dahlias
The Manhattan Lights Colourful companion pack features 2 types of decorative dahlias. They offer a lovely pairing of the bold and beautiful red with yellow center Dahlia Manhattan Island and the predominantly yellow Cambridge Dahlia. Both are considered Dinnerplate varieties with their large flowers. 3 Tubers per pack. Like all Dahlias, wait until all chance of frost has passed before planting. Buy Manhattan Lights Dahlia Online
Labyrinth Dahlia
Labyrinth Dahlia is a giant dinnerplate variety that reaches a height of only 36 inches. Flowers have hues of soft pink and juicy peach and can reach 10 inches across. This variety is great for cut flowers. 1 tuber.
Tartan Dahlia
Dahlia Tartan features huge 10 inch blooms in shades of burgundy wine and stark white. Great for cut flowers. Plant will reach a height of approximately 40 inches. 1 tuber.
Rebecca's World Dahlia
Dahlia Rebecca’s World is a bi-colour dahlia with a combination of flaming red and fresh white. Enjoy these beautiful flowers in the garden or in a flower arrangement from summer long and well into fall. Reaches a height of 44 inches. 1 tuber.
Sir Alf Ramsey Dahlia
Sir Alf Ramsey Dahlia is a giant decorative dahlia variety in shades of lilac and white. Flowers can reach over 10 inches in diameter on a plant that grows to 52 inches in height. Flowers from summer into fall. 1 tuber.
Blackberry Wine Dahlia
Dahlia Blackberry Wine is a colourful companion pack of two different coloured dahlias, a wine red variety and a white with speckled variety. Both are cactus-type for great garden and flower arrangement effect. Reaches a height of 40 inches. 3 tubers.
Buy Blackberry Wine Dahlia Online
Ambition Dahlia
Dahlia Ambition is a wonderful, bright purple dahlia with small fringed flowers on a plant that reaches 44 inches in height. Great for cut flowers. 1 tuber.
Viking Dahlia
Dahlia Viking is a smaller pompon or ball shaped flower in shades of red. The plant grows to a height of 30 inches. Flowers all summer long and well into autumn. 1 tuber.
Sylvia Dahlia
Sylvia Dahlia is a nicely formed ball dahlia variety in shades of mid-orange. Flowers can reach 3-4 inches across on a plant growing to 40 inches in height. 1 tuber.
Sunny Boy Dahlia
Sunny Boy Dahlia is a delightful novelty ball dahlia variety that produces tightly rolled yellow flowers with a fiery red center. Flowers can reach about 2 inches in size. 1 tuber.
Dahlia Day at the Beach Colourful Companion Pack
Dahlia Day at the Beach is another colourful companion pack with2 different dahlia varieties. Both are cactus varieties with plants growing to 40 inches in height. One variety is a deep burgundy-red wine colour while the other has peachy cream to pink tones. Great for cut flowers. 3 tubers per pack.
Buy Day at the Beach Dahlia Online
How to Plant and Grow Dahlias
Dahlias should be planted in mid-spring after all chance of frost has passed. In our area, this is usually mid to late April or early May. Plant dahlias in a sunny location with rich, moist, but well drained soils. If the soil is too wet, the tuber may rot. 8 hours of direct sunlight is best.
To plant, dig a hole 4-6 inches deep and sprinkle a handful of bonemeal into the hole. Bonemeal is an organic, slow feeding fertilizer that helps establish roots and contributes to better flowering. If you have heavy soils, consider lightening it up with peat moss, sand and/or compost. Place the dahlia tuber in the hole. For larger varieties, we generally recommend adding a stake at the head of the dahlia so that you can remember where you planted it and so you can tie for support once it starts growing. Ensure the dahlia is horizontal in the hole and cover it with soil. Do not water yet. Wait to water until the dahlia has sprouted above the ground. Dahlias are a favourite food group for snails and slugs. Protect your plants with slug bait, copper tape or any other method that works for you.
Once dahlias are established, they will generally require a deep watering 2-3 times per week. Avoid getting the flowers and foliage wet and if possible, water in the morning so that foliage can dry before nightfall.
Dahlias benefit from applications of fertilizer. Use a low nitrogen and high percentage potassium and phosphorus varieties (low first number, higher second and third numbers). Feed every 3-4 weeks for best results.
For best flowering, pinch or cut away the center shoot when the plant is about 20 inches tall.
Dahlias will flower until the first heavy frost. At this point, it is advisable to cut back and dig up your dahlia clump. Carefully lift the clump out of the ground and wash off the tubers to remove the soil. Pat dry them as best as possible and store in a cool dry place over winter. There are many different opinions on how best to store them, but peat moss, sand or sawdust seem to be the most successful. Plant them again next year!
If you have any questions about Dahlias or are ready to choose your varieties for this year, drop by Art's Nursery and we'd be happy to show you the many options available. As always, call ahead to confirm availability as our selection is always changing.