Your tuberous root can go directly into the ground in the spring when the ground is warm and there is little chance of frost. Additionally, almost every dahlia society has sales and they welcome guests to those events.ĭahlia 'Grandalia Burgundy' When to plant This root looks like a sweet potato that grows under the soil surface and sends up strong stems. Most major garden centers, home improvement stores, and mail-order sources sell dahlia tuberous roots (a thick, underground stem or rhizome) as well as blooming potted plants. There are several ways to enjoy your first dahlia. The American Dahlia Society (ADS) categorizes today's dahlias into various groups based on size, form, and color.

The largest flower form is informally known as a 'dinner plate' dahlia. Each flower can be small or large, ranging from 2 inches in diameter up to 15 inches. There are many species of dahlia in a range of colors and forms with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. About 200 years passed before dahlia seeds, roots, and plants found their way to Spain and other parts of Europe.ĭahlia is a genus of tuberous plants that are members of the Asteraceae (or Compositae) family related species include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. While busy conquering the Aztec nation, 16th-century Spanish conquistadors pursued numerous side explorations that led to the discovery of the New World plant life. The native dahlias found in the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala are the genetic source for the modern hybrid dahlias we grow today.

GardenSMART :: Year of the Dahlia Year of the Dahliaīy National Garden Bureau Did you know that the dahlia is the national flower of Mexico?

Dahlia dreamy days