did you know?

Like many other great colorful plants?fuchsias and cosmos, for example?the dahlia is a New World plant that originated in Mexico. It was cultivated and probably improved by the Aztecs for generations before Spanish explorers first saw it in the 16th century. The American Dahlia Society currently recognizes 17 distinct categories of dahlias on the basis of flower shape.

general maintenance:

For garden plants, pinch out center growing point early in the season to encourage bushiness. For exhibition-quality blooms, pinch out some side shoots and buds to encourage fewer but larger blooms. Stake to support bushy plants and heavy flowers.

pests/diseases:

Caterpillars, slugs, snails, aphids, gray mold verticillium wilt, fusarium, and dahlia mosaic virus may occur.

controls:

Handpick caterpillars, slugs, and snails. Hose off aphids with a strong stream of water, or use insecticidal soap, following label directions. To control gray mold and mosaic virus, remove diseased foliage and flowers or entire plants if severely diseased. To control verticillium wilt and fusarium, reduce soil moisture or remove and destroy severely diseased plants.

how to sow/plant:

Plant in compost-rich, well-drained beds or containers in spring when soil has warmed. To avoid piercing tubers, insert support stakes in soil before planting. Set tubers 4?6 inches deep and at least 2 feet apart. Water after planting, and mulch to conserve moisture.

water and fertilize:

Maintain soil moisture all season. Feed weekly with an all-purpose fertilizer (5-10-5), following label directions.

garden hint:

In mild climates (Zones 8?10), dahlia tubers may be left in the ground year-round. In colder climates, carefully lift tubers after the first fall frost blackens the foliage. Store them in a cool spot (40°F) in shallow boxes of peat or sand, covered so only the stems poke out.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage

garden uses:

• Flowerbed borders

other uses:

• Cut Flower

combine with:

ornamental sage wormwood and verbena