Dahlia

There’s a dahlia out there for you, even if you think you hate dahlias. If you’ve only seen the flashy lurid ones (no judgment) and you think that’s all there is, look again. A must-have for late summer and fall bouquets. So easy to grow that you cannot fail at them. Pompon-type dahlias have petite spheres of fully double blossoms that are nearly perfect in shape and form. Cactus types are pointy with space between the 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.

Tender Summer Bulbs

Spring-planted bulbs offer wonderful variety to the cutflower market and are a staple in old-fashioned gardens. The bulbs we offer here are (mostly) not hardy to northern winters. Smart and thrifty people lift and store them over the winter; the rest of us treat them as annuals.