Dahlias

A must-have for late summer and fall bouquets. So easy to grow that you cannot fail at them. Dinnerplate types have enormous blooms as big as your face. Cactus types have pointy petals that are rolled or “quilled.” Decorative types will have you contemplating sacred geometry with their even spaced, perfectly curled petals.

Native to hot parts of the Americas and first developed as a food crop, ornamental dahlias are descended from years of breeding and crossing D. pinnata and D. juarezi.

Growing Dahlias

• In spring after danger of frost, plant 3–4" deep, 12–24" apart. Set the tubers flat with eyes facing up.
• Grows best with 3–4 hours of direct sun per day, but will tolerate conditions from full sun to light shade.
• To overwinter, dig tubers after the first frost, dry them off and store them in a well-ventilated cool (35–45°) dark dry place.