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Garden Dahlia

Dahlia pinnata

Also listed as Dahlia rosea, Dahlia variabilis

Also known as Pinnate Dahlia

herbaceous☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate water❄ Hardy: Zone 8a – Zone 11b

Climate Match for your location

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Garden Dahlia is a tender perennial prized for its spectacular, long-lasting flowers in a wide range of colors and forms. It blooms prolifically from summer through fall and requires staking for taller varieties.

Why grow it

Dahlias offer an extended bloom window and exceptional color range compared to many summer perennials, making them valuable for late-season garden interest. They produce substantial cut flowers reliably across a range of forms, from simple singles to elaborate doubles, which distinguishes them from single-form alternatives like zinnias or cosmos. Their ability to flower prolifically into fall gives them practical advantages in regions with shorter growing seasons.

Watch out for

Dahlias require consistent deadheading to maintain bloom production, and neglecting this can result in premature flowering decline. While taller varieties benefit from staking, the practice demands attention to prevent stem damage as plants mature and flower weight increases. Tuber storage over winter in cold climates requires cool, dry conditions, and poor storage conditions can lead to rot or sprouting before planting season.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
1.5–6′ tall × 1.5–3′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Asteraceae
EdiblePollinators & beneficial insects

Native Range

Mexico

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Edible Parts

flower

Season of Interest

SummerFall

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Companion Planting

Plants well with