
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Dahlias
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Is there a dahlia for zone 4. I live in Michigan
Hi Katherine,
Dahlias can most certainly be grown in Zone 4, but must be treated as an annual as the tubers will not survive your winters. Plant tubers after the threat of frost has passed in the spring and then lift the tubers to store for the winter following the first frost in the fall.
In terms of what dahlias to plant, you should discuss this with your local garden center to see what is available and/or contact your local cooperative extension to learn what varieties of dahlias thrive in your specific area.
I live in SE PA. Since I've been living here our planting zone has gone from 6 to 7. Usually by the beginning of June we have temperatures in the mid 80's into the 90's. The nights average 60 degrees F. This year we have had highly variable temperatures. Three days of 70's to the 80's with 45 degree nights. Then we got a run of 50–60-degree days with high 30's to mid 40's at night, Only in the last week of June did the temperatures even out. I just planted my dahlia tubers and it is July 1st. Will I get anything close to a bloom this year? This is the first time I have planted dahlias.
Your article shows the most beautiful flowers but I wish you added the name of the variety to the description. I’d love to have the one at the top of the article but have no idea what it’s called. This goes for all your articles showing various plants.
Thanks for your feedback, Jenny! We recommend referring to the National Dahlia Society for more information about specific varieties.
I live near Portland, OR. Do I need to lift my dalias?
Check your hardiness zone. If you are in 7 or above, you should be alright leaving them in the ground.
Six years ago, I bought a package of seed dahlias and planted them in an area in front of our house which is somewhat protected from the weather. The first year they bloomed and were about six inches high. Since then, they have spread over the area and bloomed on their own producing beautiful variety of colors. I have never dug them up after blooming but left them alone. The plants are 12 inches to 3 feet high. I didn't think dahlias spreads. What type of dahlias are these?
We’ve only grown dahlias from tubers, is is tradition. However, it is true that that the dahlia flower will produce both seeds and tubers when grown so you could propagate from either. It doesn’t matter which type of dahlia because the tubers will always and consistently produce copies of their “mother” dahlia, but the seeds will not. According to the American Dahlia Society, dahlia seeds will produce varieties different from the parent plants, so propagation from seeds is used primarily to develop new cultivars. Think of it as the dahlia “mother” reproducing with any plant “father” whose pollen an insect carried to the mother. Therefore, it’s not surprising you had a diverse variety of children, since they had the same mothers but different dads. The seeds you plant will never grow true to type but that’s part of the adventure.
I’m in California—how many years can dahlias stay in the ground before you need to divide? Three years?
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