- Dahlias are flower factories! They will tolerate partial shade but they love the sun; and the more sun, the more flowers.
- Dahlias like loose, well-drained, even sandy soil. Add compost, peat moss, loam or manure to improve conditions. They also like to grow in containers.
- Dahlias come in a wide array of styles, colors and sizes. Check out growers’ catalogs and get creative!
- Start the tubers in pots and keep inside until all danger of frost has passed or wait until frost is over and plant the tubers directly in the garden.
- Add a time-release fertilizer to the planting hole. Use a water-soluble fertilizer as the growing season progresses.
- Dahlias with large flowers need staking. Put your staking system in early, so the plant can grow into it. Dahlias love to grow on fences, which provide ample support. Varieties of dahlias with smaller flowers don’t require staking.
- Mulch dahlias to conserve water and to control weeds.
- Deadhead faded flowers to encourage more blooms. The more you cut them the more they grow.
- Dahlias are tender tubers that will not overwinter. You must dig them up at the end of the growing season to use them next year. Wait until the leaves turn black then dig and store in a cool place that will not freeze.
Jeanie Gillis Director of Horticulture
508.888.3300, ext. 118
jgillis@heritagemuseums.org
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