Dahlia, Dahlias

Dahlia, Dahlias

Nothing beats a dahlia for spring color. Native to Mexico, where they grow wild on hillsides, these tender bulbs bloom in many colors from spring until autumn. They are one of the major attractions in our annual garden, though they belong to a separate group (Bulb). There are many varieties available now, consists of the major groups, namely; pompon dahlia small and medium cactus dahlia small and medium decorative dahlia and large decorative dahlia. Dahlia flower comes in different color and shapes. The size of the flowers varies from 2 inches to 10 inches in diameter. The petals also vary from single to honeycomb type. Their sunlight requirement is very high. So plant it, where you can get sunlight throughout the day, or at least six hours in a day.    

Growing Dahlias in Containers

Dahlias can be planted in containers. If you choose to grow dahlias in containers hybrid varieties of dahlias work best. Container size should not be smaller than 12” x 12” per tuber/seedling. Use 2 parts garden soil, 1 part cow manure and 1 part compost. They will need water to get growing for you. Please make sure to keep your soil slightly damp - or cool to the touch. After plants are 12” high, potted dahlias will require extra watering and fertilizing to promote proper blooming.

Dahlias make excellent cut flowers, which will typically last about a week in the house.

Light:               Full Sun

Type:               Bulb

Height:             From 1 to 6 feet

Width:              2 feet wide, depending on type

Flower Color:  Blue, Pink, Red, White, Orange, Yellow, Purple

Foliage Color:  Chartreuse/Gold

Seasonal Features: Spring Bloom

Problem Solvers: Drought Tolerant, Ground cover

Special Features: Attracts Birds, Cut Flowers, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance

Dahlia Plant Care

Staking

I recommend staking any dahlias that will reach 3 feet or taller. Any staking product will work, please check your local garden shop - i.e.: metal rods, or bamboo stakes. 

Fertilizer
Dahlias require a low nitrogen fertilizer, such as used for vegetables. I recommend high percentage potassium and phosphorus fertilizers such as a 5-10-10, 10-20-20, or 0-20-20. First applications should be within 30 days of planting and repeated again approx. 3-4 weeks later. One of the biggest mistakes made with dahlias is over feeding them. Avoid high nitrogen compost and high nitrogen water soluble types as they promote weak stems, small blooms, or no blooms, and tubers that rot or shrivel in storage.

Watering
After dahlias are established, a deep watering 2-3 times a week for at least 30 minutes with a sprinkler, more required during warmer dryer weather. Hotter climates will need to water more often as conditions require. Proper watering promotes proper blooming.
Topping or Pinching
To promote shorter, bushier plants with better stems for cutting, pinch or cut the center shoot just above the third set of leaves, or plant height of about 18-20” tall.  

Hope you enjoy the beauty and instructions!!

Happy Gardening and Always Live your Passion!! 

Shared with ABC Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Today's flower, Floral Flower Fotos, Ruby Tuesday Too ,and Outdoor Wednesday 

Red Flower Plants for Your Garden

Put Some Passion in Your Garden!

Put Some Passion in Your Garden!

Put Some Passion in Your Garden!

Red Flowering Plants - Put Some Passion in Your Garden! - See more at: http://www.plantdelights.com/Red-Flowering-Plants-for-sale/Red-Flowering-Plants/Red-Flowered-Plants/#sthash.K8B1cSsD.dpuf

Red Flowering Plants - Put Some Passion in Your Garden!
From ruby to strawberry, from port to merlot, from blood to fire, from scarlet to vermillion, the color red is the color of passion, danger, and beauty. What better color could you choose for an exciting garden than red flowering plants?

Here is a short list of the best red flowering plants at Plant Delights Nursery
- See more at: http://www.plantdelights.com/Red-Flowering-Plants-for-sale/Red-Flowering-Plants/Red-Flowered-Plants/#sthash.K8B1cSsD.dpuf

Red Flowering Plants - Put Some Passion in Your Garden!
From ruby to strawberry, from port to merlot, from blood to fire, from scarlet to vermillion, the color red is the color of passion, danger, and beauty. What better color could you choose for an exciting garden than red flowering plants?

Here is a short list of the best red flowering plants at Plant Delights Nursery - See more at: http://www.plantdelights.com/Red-Flowering-Plants-for-sale/Red-Flowering-Plants/Red-Flowered-Plants/#sthash.K8B1cSsD.dpuf

Red flowering Plants - Put Some Passion in Your Garden

From Dahlia to scarlet, the color red is the color of passion and beauty. What better color could you choose for an existing garden than red flowering plants.

Red flowers draw attention to the garden. A big, bold planting of all red can practically stop traffic! Red flowers pair beautifully with orange and yellow, as well as white. 

Here is a short list of best red flowering plants at Gurgaon Garden.

Dahlia - From charming little front-of-the-border annuals to massive plants with flowers bigger than your head, dahlias can be counted on to make a statement in the garden.

Strawflower - Enjoy summer's flowers into fall by growing this brightly colored charmer that dries right on the plant.This easy-to-grow, sun-loving annual heralds from Australia and is a great pick for hot, dry sites.

Verbena - Verbena is a spreading plant ideal for cascading over retaining walls, pots, baskets, and window boxes. As log as the soil is extremely well drained, verbena will reward gardeners with countless clusters of small blooms all season.

Rose - Garden roses are predominantly hybrid roses that are grown as ornamental plants in private or public gardens. They are one of the most popular and widely cultivated groups of flowering plants, especially in temperate climates. 

Gazania - This tough plant endures poor soil, baked conditions, and drought beautifully and still produces bold-color, daisy like flowers from all spring. They're great in beds and borders and containers, too.

Celosia - Celosia A topnotch cut flower, celosia also dries well, making it a favorite of crafters who like to make dried flower arrangements. If you don't have the heart to cut it, celosia is a great garden plant that reliably blooms all summer long.

Petunia - Petunias are fail proof favorites for gardeners everywhere. They are vigorous growers and prolific bloomers from mid-spring through late fall.

Sweet William - Sweet William is a species of Dianthus native to parts of Asia. It grows to 30–75 cm tall, with flowers in a dense cluster of up to 30 at the top of the stems and have a spicy, clove-like scent. Each flower is 2–3 cm diameter with five petals displaying serrated edges. Wild plants produce red flowers with a white base.

Salvia - Named 'Scarlet sage' because it is most commonly found in scarlet colour though it comes in other colours like pink, cream, purple and blue. It is a hardy variety which can grow as tall as 40 inches but now a days dwarf varieties are very popular with the garden lovers which grow no more than 15 inches in height. The foliage is dark green, heart shaped, pointed at tips and serrated at the edges. The flowers tower over the foliage on long terminal spikes. 

Flaming Katy - Kalanchoes are succulent plants with flat, glossy, green leaves. Kalanchoes will also bloom with small pretty flowers in shades of reds. The small flowers are grouped in tightly paced flowerheads borne on long stems. Each head has between 20 - 50 flowers. Will thrive outdoors in frost-free areas. Ideal container or indoor plant.

Amaryllis Lily - These plants are popularly but erroneously known as Amaryllis, which is an African genus, in the same family. Some flowers have uniform colors or patterns on all six petals while others have more pronounced colors on the upper petals than on the lower ones.

Scarlet Flax - Scarlet flax is a wildflower that is indigenous to North Africa and Southern Europe, but has become naturalized in other desert areas. It can be grown successfully in all regions in India. Each solitary scarlet bloom only lasts about a day, but new blooms are produced serially for a continuous presence amidst foliage only a foot or so high. 

Of course, there are plenty more where those came from. When you are ready to buy red flowering plants for your garden, check online list for red flowering plants.

Hope you enjoy the beauty!!

Happy Gardening and Always Live your Passion!!

Shared with ABC Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Today's flower, Floral Flower Fotos, Ruby Tuesday Too , Outdoor Wednesday and Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.