Dahlias are beloved for their stunning blooms and vibrant colors, making them a favorite choice for gardeners in Minnesota. If you’re looking to add these showstoppers to your garden, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog, we’ll explore how to care for dahlias in Minnesota’s climate and highlight some popular varieties of dahlia that thrive in the region.
Caring for Dahlias in Minnesota
Dahlias are warm-season flowers that prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Follow these tips to ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms:
Planting: Wait until after the last frost date in spring to plant dahlias. Choose a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Incorporate organic matter like compost into the soil before planting.
Watering: Keep dahlias consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, especially during dry periods. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizing: Feed dahlias with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Use a fertilizer low in nitrogen to promote flowering.
Support: Dahlias can grow tall and benefit from staking or support cages to prevent flopping. Install supports at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.
Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Snip the flower stalk just above a set of leaves to promote new growth.
Overwintering: In Minnesota, dahlias are not winter-hardy. Lift tubers in fall after the first frost, dry them for a few days, and store them in a cool, dry place for winter. Replant tubers in spring after the danger of frost has passed.
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Popular Dahlia Varieties for Minnesota Gardens
‘Mystery Day Dahlia’: A striking variety that produces huge, dark purple-red double blooms with white tips, from summer until mid-fall; dinner plate sized blooms really stand out; wonderful for gardens, along borders, or in containers
‘Dalina® Grande Castillo Dahlia’: This pretty dahlia is a vigorous bloomer, producing masses of large burgundy red flowers with pale yellow centers all season; deadhead spent flowers; wonderful along borders or in containers
‘Dalina® Grande Romero Dahlia’: This pretty dahlia is a vigorous bloomer, producing masses of large yellow-peach flowers with pale yellow centers all season; deadhead spent flowers; wonderful along borders or in containers
‘Firepot’: With vibrant orange-red blooms, ‘Firepot’ dahlias brighten up any garden bed or container. This variety is a real showstopper and attracts butterflies.
‘Gallery Pablo’: Compact and ideal for containers, ‘Gallery Pablo’ dahlias produce an abundance of bright yellow flowers that add a cheerful touch to borders and patios.
Visit Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply for Dahlias and Expert Advice
Ready to grow dahlias in your Minnesota garden? Visit Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply to explore our selection of dahlia tubers and plants, as well as gardening supplies and expert advice. Our team is here to help you create a stunning dahlia display that will thrive in your local climate. Happy gardening and happy growing!
Visit Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply, Your One-Stop Landscape Shop!