Dahlias

Dahlias (Dahlia spp.)

Dahlias are stunning, tuberous perennials known for their vibrant blooms in a wide variety of colors and forms. While best known for their ornamental value, dahlias also support pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds with their nectar-rich flowers. Native to the highlands of Mexico and Central America, dahlias are easy to integrate into gardens, containers, and borders, where they provide long-lasting color from summer to fall.

Key Characteristics:

• Nectar Source for Pollinators
  Dahlias are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. Species like honeybees (Apis mellifera) and Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) frequent dahlia flowers, feeding on their nectar throughout the blooming season. This makes dahlias a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes.

• Tuberous Roots with Traditional Uses
  In their native regions, dahlia tubers have been used as a food source by Indigenous peoples. While not commonly eaten today, the tubers are rich in inulin, a dietary fiber that can support gut health. Historically, dahlia tubers were also used in traditional medicine to help manage blood sugar levels.

• Ideal for Cutting Gardens and Borders
  Dahlias are a favorite for cutting gardens due to their large, showy blooms and long vase life. They add height and structure to garden borders and mix well with other perennials in pollinator gardens, making them a versatile and eye-catching choice for ornamental landscapes.

• Supports Beneficial Insects
  In addition to pollinators, dahlias attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and predatory wasps, which help control garden pests such as aphids. This enhances the ecological health of your garden by promoting natural pest management.

• Low-Maintenance and Thrives in Full Sun
  Dahlias are easy to grow and thrive in well-drained soils with full sun exposure. They bloom profusely from mid-summer through fall and can be overwintered as tubers in colder climates, making them a reliable and colorful addition to your garden year after year.

Product Details:

• Native Range: Mexico and Central America
• Plant Life Cycle: Perennial (grown as an annual in colder climates)
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, medium moisture
• Mature Height: 1-6 feet, depending on variety
• Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
• Bloom Color: Wide range—red, yellow, pink, purple, orange, white
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11 (can be overwintered indoors in colder zones)

Dahlias offer spectacular blooms that attract pollinators while providing stunning color and ecological value to your garden. Perfect for borders, cutting gardens, or containers.