Dahlias – Flower Magic in Summer

Dahlias are true summer beauties. They bloom in many colors and shapes. Whether in the garden, a container, or as cut flowers, dahlias are rightly very popular ornamental plants.

They originate from the highlands of Mexico and have brought the sunshine with them. When they bloom in midsummer, the most magnificent colors and shapes come to life. Dahlias are so diverse that their popularity among flower lovers comes as no surprise. They thrive best in the flowerbed, but they also look great in containers. Not least, they are among the most popular flowers for bouquets.

Dahlias grow in many different shapes. Their variety of species alone explains their diversity. The most well-known varieties include water lily dahlias, pompon dahlias, cactus dahlias, and decorative dahlias.
Despite their beauty, dahlias are easy to care for. You just need to protect the plants from the wind, especially varieties that grow over 80 centimeters tall or have heavy flowers. If the bush has enough support, it won't fall apart in wind and rain. Dahlias don't just look good; they seem to be a delicacy for snails as well. Therefore, you need to make sure the pests don't get too close to the dahlias. Moles also enjoy eating them. To protect against these pesky rodents, plant baskets made of rabbit wire are a helpful solution.

Dahlias thrive in the sun and should also be planted in a wind-protected location. Even with good support, it’s best if the wind doesn't have a chance to affect the flowers. However, a spot near a wall that stores and radiates heat is not ideal. Therefore, avoid planting dahlias directly next to the house. Despite their lush flowers and vibrant green leaves, dahlias don’t require much water. They also don’t need fertilizer during the summer months. Such beauty with so little effort is truly impressive! However, dahlias cannot survive the winter outdoors. Be sure to dig up the bulbs and replant them at the end of April.

Plant the flower bulbs about 10 centimeters deep in the soil. If they have already sprouted but a strong frost is expected, cover the fresh green shoots. By the way, it’s a good idea to soak the tubers in water for a day before planting them. This helps the plants settle better in the soil and makes it easier to divide them. Each section should have a shoot tip. Dahlias can also be grown from seed. For this, sow the seeds on a windowsill starting in March. The seedlings often bloom in the first year. Dahlia flowers make excellent additions to bouquets. Red dahlias symbolize love, yellow ones represent gratitude, and white ones are popular in bridal bouquets as symbols of purity. Even if you don't want to turn your dahlias into cut flowers, always cut back the withered ones. It’s best to do this just above the next bud, removing the faded part with a longer stem.