“To know a Dahlia is to love a Dahlia.” And once you grow one, it’s like all your other flowers just kind of fade into the background. There’s just something about them. One of my most favorite flowers I have ever grown is a Dahlia called Kogane Fubuki. It was this magical pink and yellow ombre bloom that literally stopped me in my tracks every time I stepped onto my patio.

And I want you to have those magical Dahlia moments too! So I brought on Anne from The Dahlia House to walk us through every step of Dahlia care. Her story is as gorgeous as her blooms, and she generously spilled all her tips to help us get the most out of our Dahlias this year.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:36] Meet Anne from the Dahlia House
• [03:07] How did Anne become the Dahlia lady?
• [06:05] Anne’s current dahlia collection and other plants
• [08:44] Why are dahlias popular?
• [11:43] What are some tips for growing dahlias successfully?
• [15:05] Show your parents you care this Mother's Day or Father's Day with a soothing Wind River Chime!
• [16:53] What are ways to start dahlias indoors?
• [20:16] How should dahlias be planted with regard to their “eyes”?
• [21:50] How can you get your dahlias to bloom a lot?
• [26:32] Tips for cutting off dahlias and extending vase life
• [28:23] What are the light and water requirements for dahlias?
• [30:26] Container growing and spacing
• [32:17] How to choose the right dahlia variety for you
• [36:02] What are some common mistakes that new Dahlia growers make?
• [36:55] How to fertilize your dahlia
• [38:32] Anne’s favorite Dahlia varieties and trends
• [39:57] Where can you find Anne and The Dahlia House?
• [40:56] Recommended flowers to grow in Jupiter, Florida

 

 

 

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Meet Anne: The Dahlia Lady

Anne started as a mom growing Dahlias in her yard, gifting them to teachers and neighbors. Her collection grew and grew until her community literally started calling her house “The Dahlia House.”

A devastating wireworm infestation wiped out 95% of her collection, but she still persisted and launched her own Dahlia business. And now she’s growing over 450 varieties, runs pop-up U-picks, and is basically Dahlia royalty!

 

What to Know Before You Plant a Single Dahlia Tuber

First things first—sourcing matters. Don’t just grab a tuber from the big-box store. Many of those come from overseas and can carry diseases. Look for farms that share their disease-free protocols because healthy tubers make all the difference.

When your tuber arrives and you’re not ready to plant it yet, you can pop it in your fridge (not freezer) or start waking it up indoors.

Anne's hack is she tosses a handful of soil into a grocery bag, adds the tubers, gives it a splash of water, and lets them sit in a corner. This jumpstarts root growth and gets your Dahlias ready to grow once they hit the soil.

 

How to Plant Your Dahlias: The “Shoulds” & the Shortcuts

If your ground is workable and your last frost date is near, you’re good to go. Or you can use Anne’s favorite timing cue: when the lilacs bloom, it’s Dahlia time. Dahlias love full sun and rich soil, so mix in lots of compost. They’re heavy feeders and respond best to well-amended beds.

Plant the tuber horizontally, eyes up. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect because Dahlias are surprisingly forgiving. Anne plants hers just 2 inches deep to make digging them up easier later. If you’re in a colder zone and need to lift your tubers for winter, that’ll be a lifesaver.

Dahlias also need support. These plants get big, and the blooms can be heavy. Give them something to lean on such as a tomato cage, bamboo stake, or a DIY twine corral.

 

How to Care for Dahlias

As for pests, if you’ve got slugs or earwigs, grab some Sluggo Plus. It’s kid- and pet-safe, and Anne swears by it. Apply at planting and again a few weeks later to protect your tender new sprouts.

Water deeply once or twice a week depending on your weather. Dahlias like moisture but hate soggy feet. And while you can fertilize monthly, Anne takes a simpler approach by using compost, a sprinkle of CalMag, and a balanced fertilizer at planting time.

And for pinching, once your plant is about 8-12 inches tall, pinch off the top two sets of leaves. It feels scary, but it triggers branching, longer stems, and way more blooms. Like, triple!

 

Longest Vase Life & Containers for Dahlias

Dahlias are cut-and-come-again flowers, which means the more you cut, the more they bloom. So if you want a longer vase life, cut your stems underwater. It prevents air from entering the stem and keeps your flowers fresher longer.

If you’re growing in containers, go big. An 18-inch pot can hold three tubers. Anything smaller and your Dahlias will protest. And yes, I’ve learned this the hard way!

 

Best Dahlia Varieties & Obsessions

There are endless varieties, but if you’re starting out, skip the unicorns (aka the rare, expensive ones). Choose a solid, affordable favorite like a ball Dahlia, which holds up beautifully in a vase and stores well.

One of Annee’s faves is Cafe de Paris. It’s basically Cafe au Lait’s stylish cousin with spiraled petals.

And listen, if you’re in zone 10B like me, where Dahlias don’t thrive, I feel your pain. I’m mourning my Dahlia days hard, but I want to live vicariously through you. So please, go grow Dahlias for me! Tag me in your photos an let me swoon over your blooms.

 

Do You Want More Dahlias?

You can find Anne’s gorgeous, healthy tubers and all her amazing resources at The Dahlia House. Her passion is infectious, and her knowledge will set you up for success.

So plant friends, grab your tubers and get ready to fall in love with Dahlias. May your summer be full of blooms, joy, and the magic only Dahlias can bring.

 

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• • Monterey Sluggo® Plus
  • Kristine Albrecht – Dahlias (@santacruzdahlias)
  • CalMag Pro Hydroponic and Soil Nutrient Fertilizer for Plants Calcium and Magnesium Booster
  • The Dahlia House’s collections

 

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Wind River Chimes

Bring the gift of peace, serenity, and magic with chimes! Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for an amazing gift that can help you or your loved ones grow joy and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect option. Plus, you can engrave the wind sail on the wind chime with meaningful dates, names, or phrases!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

 

 

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