All About DahliasDahlias are among my favorite of all flowers. They come from tuberous perennial plants and the flowers are so original that they actually look like artificial flowers. It is hard to believe that a plant could produce such beautiful yields.There is a quite a variety of this flowering plant including hybrids and cultivars on top of over 30 species of the plant. The diameter of the flower ranges from two inches to twelve inches, depending on the choice of plant and they range from twelve inches high to six feet high. When selecting the plants for your flower garden, you need to take this into consideration. When and Where to Plant ThemThese flowers grow best in the USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 11. They should be planted in the early spring, after the threat of frost has passed. They bloom during the summer.In some areas the tubers can survive in the ground over the winter if six to twelve inches of mulch are applied to bed to protect them from the frost; however, the best bet is to dig up the tubers in the fall before the first frost. The tubers can be stored in a dry place that stays rather cool until it is time for spring planting. Planting Dahlias
This type of perennial plant is usually planted from tubers; however, there are some
flower seeds
available that are usually treated as
annual flowers
. If planting from seed, it is best to start them in an
indoor garden
about six weeks before planting time. To plant the tubers you will need to select a place that gets full sunlight. Take into consideration the size of the mature plant in order to decide how deep to plant the tuber and the space needed to reach full maturity. These plants will do their best if they are planted with eyes facing up and in well-draining soil. Varieties that grow tall will need to be staked. It is a good idea to place the stake when you plant the tubers in order to avoid damaging the tuber when placing them later. After they are planted, water them lightly while avoiding leaving them in puddles of water. We love to see flower pictures of your blooms and if you would like to
share your accomplishments or tips on growing this unique flower.
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