Dahlias at My Farm
My home is decorated with gorgeous, bright, and colorful dahlia blooms.
I hope you saw the dahlia photos on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48. All the dahlias were grown in a large garden bed behind my main greenhouse not far from my berry bushes. This year, I designated the space just for dahlias - those colorful, spiky flowers that bloom from midsummer right through the first frost. The flowers range from small to giant dinner-plate size. Many of our dahlia tubers are from Swan Island Dahlias in Oregon, a family owned business and the largest and leading dahlia grower in the United States. Others are from Floret, a family farm and floral design studio in the State of Washington.
Enjoy these photos.
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- This year, I wanted to plant lots and lots of dahlias, so I chose a larger garden bed behind my greenhouse. It gets great sun, and dahlias grow more blooms with six to eight hours of direct sunlight. And because this spot is surrounded by taller trees on one side, and the greenhouse on another, it is protected from strong winds.
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- I am so pleased with how these dahlias are growing. Dahlias thrive in rich, well-drained soil with a pH level of 6.5 to 7.0 and slightly acidic.
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- Dahlias are classified according to flower shape and petal arrangement. The plants are borne from tubers. Here in New York, by the end of August, the flowers start to burst open with such beautiful blooms just as others have sadly past their prime.
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- Native to Mexico and Central America, dahlias produce an abundance of wonderful flowers throughout early summer and again in late summer until the first frost.
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- Dahlias are often grown for their long-lasting cut flowers. There are about 30 species of dahlias and more than 20-thousand cultivars.
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- This dahlia is named ‘Bashful’ with its dark burgundy petals, hot pink tips, and golden stamens in the center of the flower. The three-inch flower blooms on a plant that grows to two-and-a-half feet by the end of the season. This is a great dahlia for bedding, containers, and cut flowers.
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- Dahlia ‘Ryan C’ is a rich purple with white tips, and four to six inch blooms. It’s great for use in floral design and bouquets. In bi-color varieties, some blooms my present as bi-color and some may be solid purple.
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- When deciding where to plant dahlias, look for an area that is in full sun to part shade. This eight-petal dahlia is white, speckled and striped with dark pink, and with a yellow center.
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- This cactus dahlia is called ‘Karma Red Corona’ with brilliant, scarlet red flowers. It was bred as a cut flower, and like other Karma dahlias, the plants are compact with dark green foliage, long stems and a high bud count. The quilled petals add extra texture and volume.
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- ‘Park Princess’ is another cactus type. The tightly rolled petals vary in color from pale pink to rich, vibrant pink, depending on the temperature and moisture. It is a prolific re-bloomer and an excellent cut flower.
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- From the side, many dahlia petals grow all around the flower head giving it a very full appearance.
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- Pompon dahlias yield masses of intricate, fully double blooms measuring up to two-and-a-half inches across. This one is a beautiful dark salmon color.
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- Most dahlias have mid- to dark green leaves that are pinnate, segmented, and toothed or cut.
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- Dahlia ‘Sweet Tiamo’ has large, roughly four-inch lavender-pink blossoms, creamy centers atop sturdy stems.
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- This dahlia is simply all white with a yellow center – a lovely and perfectly formed bloom.
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- And here is one in dark burgundy. Dahlias come in almost every color except true blue.
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- These dahlias are a special mix of white and soft lavender. The flowers are upward-facing and borne on long, strong stems.
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- To prevent wilting, cut only in the early morning or late afternoon. And only cut them after they open to mature size – dahlias will not open after cutting.
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- Here’s another arrangement on my servery counter – the color combination of yellow, white and pink looks so pretty in this glass vase. Always strip off all leaves that would be below the water line in the vase. This is true for all flower arrangements, not just dahlias. When leaves stay underwater, they decay and release bacteria that shorten the vase life of the flowers. And change the water daily so they look fresh and last longer.
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- This arrangement sits on a coffee table tray in my new sitting room where I often join Zoom business meetings and appearances. At the end of the growing season, dig and store dahlia tubers for the winter to replant next year. If you don’t already, I hope this inspires you to grow your own dahlias. What are your favorite varieties? Share them in the comments below.
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