DAHLIAS
Do you want to bring unparalleled color, dramatic size, and a non-stop supply of cut flowers to your late-summer garden? Dahlias are the answer. These spectacular plants bloom reliably from midsummer all the way to the first frost, bursting with a variety of colors. They range in size from 2-inch buttons to massive 10-inch "dinnerplate" blooms, with some varieties standing 4 to 5 feet tall. To get the absolute best show of flowers, always plant them in full sun.
***********
Dahlias at Vineyard Gardens
Vineyard Gardens carries a fantastic variety of dahlias to suit every garden style. To give our customers a jump on the growing season, we sell these plants in pots so they can go right into your garden with an established root systems. We also sell the bare tubers directly in our retail store.
Grown from Seed: We propagate a variety of dahlias seeds at our production facility in West Tisbury.
Grown from Tubers: We also source 20 to 30 varieties of tubers, which are the best options for dedicated cut-flower gardens. These vigorous plants grow up to 3 to 5 feet tall in a single season, producing an abundance of flowers.
Dahlias are a popular late-season bloomer in the aster family and are well-suited to bouquets.
***********
Favorites at Vineyard Gardens
'Thomas Edison' : A timeless, deep purple bloom
'Snow Country': A beautiful crisp white bloom
'Otto’s Thrill': Decorative and massive pink blooms
'Firepot': Striking orange and yellow blooms
'Karma Fuchsiana': Showy bright fuchsia-red flowers
'Tahiti Sunrise': a highly popular cactus dahlia prized for its dramatic, spiky, incurved petals
***********
Helpful Tips on Planting and Growing Dahlias
Dahlias develop from underground tubers that thrive in rich, high-quality soil and respond beautifully to regular feeding. With a well-prepared bed, your dahlias will bloom profusely from summer to fall.
Prepare a deep planting hole in full sun.
Amend the soil generously with organic compost and work in a high-quality organic fertilizer to give the roots a steady supply of nutrients.
Arrange the tuber cluster at the bottom of the hole with the growing points or "eyes" facing upward (allowing the roots to anchor downward).
Gently but firmly press the soil down around and over the clump to eliminate air pockets.
Give the newly planted bed a deep, thorough watering.
Planting your tubers early and deeply enough can often help the plant develop a sturdy base that may not even require staking!
Dahlia x ‘Mystic Illusion’
***********
The Importance of Staking
Unless planted exceptionally deep, staking is crucial when growing large dahlia varieties. While the foliage grows lush and dense, the stems themselves are hollow and surprisingly brittle. A sudden heavy summer rain, a strong gust of wind, or even the sheer weight of their own massive flower heads can easily snap a mature plant. Set one or two sturdy stakes into the ground at planting time and when the plants are growing in use twine to support the heavy stems.
***********
The Art of Cutting Dahlias
Dahlias are the ultimate cut flower. When harvesting blooms for your indoor arrangements, choose mature, whole stems and try to maintain the overall balanced shape of the parent plant. The more you cut, the more the plant will actively work to replace the branches you removed, sending up fresh new buds continuously until the autumn frost.
Dahlia x ‘Taxco’
***********
Saving Dahlia Tubers in the Fall
Because dahlias are tender perennials that cannot survive freezing northeastern winters, saving the tubers in autumn is a rewarding ritual that allows you to enjoy your favorite varieties year after year.
Once the first hard frost hits and the top foliage dies back, carefully dig up the tuber clumps.
Cut the main stalks back, leaving just a few inches of stem attached above the tuber clump.
Gently wash off the garden dirt and set the tubers out in the sun for a day or two to dry completely.
Once entirely dry to the touch, place the tubers into a paper bag filled with dry sawdust or peat moss. This regulates moisture and prevents them from shriveling.
Store them in a cool non-freezing spot in the cellar or garage until next spring
In the spring, you can either plant the clump whole to achieve growth immediately, or carefully divide them. Ensure each new piece has at least three visible "eyes" on the crown to guarantee a successful new plant.