90 Days of Dahlias Long Lasting Mix - Dahlia Bulbs

Dahlia Bulbs (tubers) are available in many catching colors and exotic shapes to give you a spectacular show of color in borders, beds or even containers. They have long been a favorite with gardeners as they are hardy and low maintenance. Dahlias will yield beautiful blooms from mid-summer through fall.

When to Plant your Dahlia Bulbs:

Unlike other bulbs such as Tulips, Dahlias like warm soils so plant Dahlia bulbs during the warmer and longer days of spring. Dahlias are usually planted about the same time you would plant your vegetable patch. Dahlia bulbs can be planted as late as mid-June in most parts of the country.

Where to Plant your Dahlia Bulbs:

Dahlia is an accommodating plant - it will grow almost anywhere! Dahlias will thrive in full sun but can tolerate some partial shade - the more sun, the bigger the flowers. Try to select a location that receives at least 6 hours of sun, sheltered from the wind and with, and this is vital, good drainage.

How to Plant your Dahlia Bulbs:

Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the Dahlia bulb. Put the tuber in the hole with the"eye" on the tuber facing up. The eye is the point on the shoulder, or crown, of the tuber from which the plant grows. If you are planting a number of dahlias in the same location, they should be separated by about 2 feet to give each plant room to grow. The shorter varieties can be planted closer together. Plan for the rows to be 3 to 5 feet apart depending on the size of the plant. Fill in with soil to just cover the top of the bulb. As you begin to see new growth appear, cover again with soil. Covering the stem gradually will allow the stem to strengthen so it can support the flowers. Unless it is a very dry spring, it is not necessary to water at the time of planting. The tubers will begin growing with the warmth and moisture in the soil. It is vital that they form a root system early in their planted life to assure a strong and healthy plant. Watering at the time of planting may encourage rot but as soon as your Dahlias are growing above the ground, water deeply to encourage strong roots.

How to Care for your Dahlia Bulbs:

Young dahlia plants do not need a lot of water; in fact, excessive water can lead to rotting of the plant. For larger plants, a good rule of thumb is to water if the rainfall is less than one inch in seven days. Pots require more regular watering. As the plant grows, remove any broken or damaged foliage. Good air circulation, especially near the ground is needed by the plants to prevent powdery mildew. Once the plants are several feet high the lower leaves can be removed to increase air circulation. Your dahlias will continue to bloom prolifically right up until frost. A heavy frost will kill the plant so you may want to dig the half a dozen or more tubers the plant has produced. Those tubers can then be stored and grown next spring!

Zones 7 and below - dig up tubers when the weather turns cold. Dahlias are Winter hardy only in zones 8-11.The plant will start having troubles when the temperature drops below 50°F. Before freezing temperatures, you'll need to dig up your tubers (root system).

Preparing and Storing tubers - First, trim off the green vegetation, or top growth, from the top of the tubers, leaving no more than half to 1 inch of leafy growth on the tuber. Let the tubers sit out in open air for 2 - 3 days, so they can dry out before they are stored. Drying the tubers out helps with minimizing the potential for mold and bacteria to develop.

Store tubers in a cool, dry place. Preferably a basement or location that does not drop below freezing. Do not store in plastic bags. Store in either a plain paper bag with plenty of holes for ventilation, or store in an open crate with peat moss or garden vermiculite. Once Spring arrives, replant the tubers once it starts to warm up. Separate the tubers as needed.

Shipping Season: Spring

Pre-ordered Dahlia Bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your zone. Enter your USDA ZIP code above the map to find your zone.

Dahlias like warm soil, so plant tubers during the warmer and longer days of Spring. Night time temperatures need to be consistently around 70°F degrees in order to germinate; they can be slower to start if night temperatures are not yet warm. During the process of harvesting and time in transit, this may cause some of the tuberous roots to separate. As long as the crown and stalk are intact, the loss of any tubers will not affect their viability and will still grow as normal.

Zones 9-12: Shipping Begins in Late February to Early March

Zone 8: Shipping Begins in Early to Mid March

Zone 7: Shipping Begins in Mid to Late March

Zone 6: Shipping Begins in Early April

Zone 5: Shipping Begins in Late April

Zone 2-4: Shipping Begins in Late April to Early May

In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted. 

All orders will receive an email confirmation of shipping once they leave our warehouse. This confirmation will include a tracking number which will confirm the method of shipment and provide an estimated date of delivery.