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Dahlia Flowers: The Complete Guide to Growing & Caring for These Beautiful Flowers
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Dahlias in Europe
About Dahlia Flowers
- Dahlias are tuberous plants that come in a wide range of colors and sizes.
- They are native to Mexico, but they are now grown all over the world, including Europe.
Are Dahlias Perennials or Annuals?
- Dahlias are tender perennials in their native warm climate in Mexico.
- In Europe, they are considered perennials in hardiness zones 8 and higher.
- However, in colder regions (zones 7 and lower), dahlias are treated as annuals.
- Luckily, cold-weather gardeners can also just dig up the tubers after the first fall frost and store them in their garage until spring.
Planting Dahlias Flowers
- Dahlias thrive in 6 to 8 hours of direct sun, especially morning sunlight, and they benefit from protection from wind.
- They grow best in rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
- Plant dahlias when the soil reaches 60 °F (15°C) and any danger of frost has passed.
How to Plant Dahlias
- Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
- Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep.
- Place the tuber in the hole with the growing points facing up.
- Cover the tuber with 2 to 3 inches of soil.
- Water the tuber well.
Growing Dahlias
- Once the dahlias are planted, water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Fertilize the dahlias every 3 to 4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
Tips for Growing Dahlias in Europe
- In colder climates, start dahlia tubers indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date.
- Plant dahlia tubers in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
- Water dahlias regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Fertilize dahlias every 3 to 4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
- In colder climates, dig up dahlia tubers in the fall and store them over the winter.
Popular Dahlia Varieties for Europe
- Some popular dahlia varieties for Europe include:
- Bishop of Llandaff
- Miss Rose Fletcher
- Bonne Esperance
- Kidd’s Climax
- Jersey’s Beauty
Harvesting Dahlias
- To harvest dahlias, simply cut the stems with a sharp knife.
- Cut the stems in the morning, before the heat of the day.
- Place the cut stems in a bucket of cool water.
- Remove the bottom leaves from the stems and place them in a vase of fresh water.
Digging Up and Storing Dahlia Tubers
- In colder climates, dahlias will need to be dug up and stored over the winter.
- To dig up dahlia tubers, cut back the foliage to 2 to 4 inches tall.
- Carefully dig around the tubers with a pitchfork or shovel.
- Lift the clump of tubers and shake off the excess soil.
- Place the tubers in a cool, dry place to dry for a few days.
- Once the tubers are dry, pack them in loose, fluffy material, such as vermiculite or dry sand.
- Store the tubers in a cool, dark place over the winter.
Conclusion
Dahlias are beautiful and easy-to-grow flowers that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. With proper care, dahlias will bloom for months on end.