Dahlias

I have to admit I am a bit late to the world of dahlias. I have always liked them but never grown them. I always thought I would never get any flowers from the tubers since our season is short here in the mountains of Colorado. I decided to be true to myself and give up on growing veggies (horror I know) and plant dahlias in my little raised bed. I ordered tubers from The Flower Hat in Bozeman Montana and I have to say I am hooked.

Here is what I do know about dahlias. Whether growing them from tubers or buying them already potted from a greenhouse, dahlias work well with other perennials and annuals. They add that big pop of color and create interest which we all seek. They are easy to cut and put into a vase. There are countless varieties and colors and do not take a lot of work. Maybe you stake the larger ones but so far I have not needed to do this. I planted my tubers after the last frost in late May and I have gorgeous flowers in mid August. They like full sun and surprisingly the animals seem to leave them alone. Now I just have to remember to dig up the tubers in the fall and store them in a dry, dark and cool place for the winter.

Pictured below are dahlias I grew from tubers and ones I bought as plants from Gulley’s Greenhouse in Fort Collins. I can see now why people go crazy ordering dahlia tubers and why they sell out.

For more information on dahlias visit http://www.dahlia.org.