What hardiness zones is Dahlia Hybrids suitable for?

Dahlia Hybrids is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8, 9, 10, 11.

What are the sun requirements for Dahlia Hybrids?

Dahlia Hybrids requires Full Sun.

How much water does Dahlia Hybrids need?

Dahlia Hybrids has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

Dahlia Hybrids

dahlia

AsteraceaeMexico, Guatemala, Colombia

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height1-6 feet (30-180 cm)

Width1-3 feet (30-90 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

8 - 11

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

Zone 11

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancetender

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Container Friendly

Maintenancehigh

Overview

A genus of tuberous perennials in the family Asteraceae, native to Mexico and Central America, encompassing thousands of named cultivars grouped into 14+ official flower form divisions. Plants range from compact bedding types 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall to giant varieties reaching 4–6 feet (120–180 cm). Leaves are opposite, pinnately compound with ovate, toothed leaflets, medium to dark green. Flower heads range from 2 inches (5 cm) in ball and pompon types to over 12 inches (30 cm) in dinner-plate decoratives, in forms including single, anemone, collarette, waterlily, decorative, ball, pompon, cactus, and semi-cactus. The full color range spans white, cream, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, and bronze; bicolors, picotees, and blends are common. True blue is absent from the genus. Plants flower from midsummer until hard frost. Tubers are tender and must be lifted and stored over winter in zones 7 and colder. Dahlias require staking for all but compact types.

Native Range

Species native to the highlands of Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia, growing in open woodlands, meadows, and disturbed ground at elevations of 3,000–10,000 feet (900–3,000 m). Modern garden dahlias are complex interspecific hybrids with thousands of years of selection and breeding history following their introduction to Europe in the late 18th century.

Suggested Uses

Grown in dedicated dahlia borders, cutting gardens, and mixed perennial beds at spacing of 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) depending on cultivar size. Compact bedding types are effective in containers of 5 gallons (19 L) or more. Dahlias are among the most productive cut flowers available — stems last 5–8 days in water when cut in the early morning at bud stage.

How to Identify

Identified by opposite, pinnately compound leaves with toothed leaflets and flower heads in a wide range of forms and nearly every color. Tuberous roots are revealed when plants are lifted. Hollow stems are susceptible to wind damage. The wide variation in flower form across cultivar groups — from single daisy-like to densely double cactus types — is diagnostic of the dahlia genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 6'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

yellow

orange

pink

red

purple

bronze

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

SummerFall

Blooms midsummer through first hard frost, typically July through October in zones 4–8. In zones 9–10, bloom begins earlier (May–June) and plants may go semi-dormant during peak summer heat before reblooming in fall. Pinching growing tips when plants reach 12 inches (30 cm) delays first bloom by 2–3 weeks but increases the number of flowering stems and total flower count significantly.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, bronze, bicolors

Foliage Description

medium to dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant tubers after the last frost date, 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) deep in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Stake tall cultivars at planting; do not wait until they fall over. Water regularly and deeply once plants emerge — inconsistent watering causes bud drop. Fertilize every 3–4 weeks with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote tuber development and flowering. Deadhead spent flowers to maintain continuous bloom. In zones 7 and colder, lift tubers after the first frost kills the foliage; cut stems to 4 inches (10 cm), cure for 1 week in a dry location, and store at 40–50°F (4–10°C) in barely moist peat or vermiculite through winter.

Pruning

Pinch the growing tip at 12 inches (30 cm) height — removing the top two leaf pairs — to promote branching and more flower stems. Deadhead spent flowers promptly by cutting back to a side bud to maintain continuous bloom. Disbud side buds on tall decorative and cactus types to direct energy into one large central flower per stem for exhibition. Remove all foliage and cut stems to 4 inches (10 cm) after frost kills the top growth.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummerfall

Maintenance Level

high

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets