Author: Carole Dunn, Master Gardener
Dahlias are gorgeous, colorful flowers that bloom from midsummer through fall. The Dahlia is a genus of tuberous plants that grow from tubers planted in the spring. They come in a rainbow of colors and range in size from 2-inch to giant 15-inch “dinner plate” blooms.
In Minnesota, dahlias are treated like annuals. Dedicated dahlia growers will dig up the tubers and store in a cool dry place over the winter. Dahlias need moist soil and large varieties should be staked as they grow. Dahlias are heavy feeders, so when you prepare to plant, loosen the soil to a depth of 8 -10 inches, work in manure or compost and fertilize with 5-10–-15 fertilizer. They need 5 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
For more information on growing dahlias please visit UMN Extension.
