Working with Dahlias
Dahlias are among the most beautiful and most exotic
residents of any garden. 
The large blooms of the dahlia are impossible to ignore, and
they stand out in any garden in which they are planted. The
sturdy, large blooms of the dahlia are available in a
variety of colors, and in sizes ranging from as small as an
inch to as large as a foot. In addition, the flowers
themselves come in a variety of shapes. Some dahlia blooms
are shaped like baseballs, while others curve back on
themselves to where they nearly touch their stems.
Dahlias are known as sun loving plants, and they definitely
do better with sufficient sunlight. Gardeners recommend
providing dahlias with at least a half day of sunlight every
day. In addition, dahlias need enough water to thrive, and
most varieties require from one to two inches of rain, from
either rainfall or artificial watering, every week.
In addition, dahlias need a good rich soil with plenty of
organic material, a regular pruning schedule, a good natural
insecticide to protect them from beetles and grasshoppers
and possibly staking as the plants grow ever taller. In
addition, dahlias should be fed with a quality low nitrogen
fertilizer as needed.
Dahlias are actually grown from a tuber, a bulb like
structure, and dahlias are actually classified as bulb
plants. It is best to plant dahlias near the beginning of
June, and those dahlias will usually bloom around
October. Dahlias can be planted earlier in the season as
well, and those dahlias will provide late summer blossoms.
Dahlias should be dug up after the first frost of the
year. After being dug up, the dahlias should be divided and
stored for the winter. Doing so will allow the gardener to
replant the dahlia tuber the following year.
Dahlias come in a great many varieties, but one of the most
popular varieties is the David George. The David George
variety of dahlia features a bloom of deep red color and
medium size. Other popular dahlia varieties include the
Bonaventure, featuring large bronze colored flowers, and the
Allie Yellow, with features a tiny yellow bloom.
In addition to staples like orchids and roses, dahlias are
often seen at flower shows, and many gardeners grow dahlias
purely for these competitions. A prize dahlia can certainly
be the star of any flower show, due to their striking beauty
and large size.
