This year, I grew dahlias for the first time! I've always shied away from them because of the growing conditions we had at Windy Poplars (heavy river-bed soil and low light), and the fact that they aren't perennial in our zone (7b). But now that we live in full sun with raised beds, it was [dahlia] game on!
I think they get a bad rap for being "high maintenance". I could see this being more an issue in a landscaped situation, but because I have them back with my vegetables, I decided not to stake, plant them fairly close together, and let them just go willy-nilly. The soil is very light in their bed, and I watered heavily until they started coming up, then cut back to a moderate watering schedule. Now (August) I don't really water them at all, unless we go a week or more without rain - and they are performing beautifully.
I ordered both dinner plate and semi-dinner plate varieties from American Meadows (they're on sale now - go check them out!), and definitely like the dinner plates better. The stems are longer for cutting, and they seem to last longer in a vase too. Plus, I just have a penchant for big bodacious blooms (peonies, hydrangeas) so...
My favorite variety is, hands-down, Cafe Au Lait. I've been obsessed with it since a florist used them in a photo shoot I did in England years ago, and for the longest time I couldn't find them available in the US. I was thrilled beyond thrilled when I saw American Meadows carrying them last fall! Speaking of the company (this is not a sponsored post) - they offer really great customer service, which is super important to me. When I had a tuber not come up, they sent a replacement straight away!
I haven't decided yet whether I will attempt to dig them up and store them over winter... If anybody has successfully done this, please leave me your tips. I HAVE decided though, that I will never be without dahlias in my garden again, if I can possibly help it! They are a stunning addition to my cut flower gardens, and I have absolutely loved having them fill the house with their beauty this summer.
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