Dahliettas

Host: Gary Bachman, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist

Transcription:

Small Dahlias are a great choice for containers on porch or patio today on Southern Gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Finally, we have turned the corner and are enjoying the warming temperatures of spring. In my travels of visiting garden centers and greenhouses, I’ve been reminded of plants that we don’t grow enough. Whether gardeners think that these beautiful plants need an extraordinary amount of care, or they are just not on the horizon. Regardless of the reason, we need to grow more Dahlias.

Dahlia grow from a bulb-like structure that resembles a sweet potato tube. These are easy to grow plants and if you can grow tomatoes, you can grow Dahlias. Almost every garden center will have a selection of blooming plants. Talk about instant impact. Some Dahlia varieties can be over four feet tall, but I like the smaller selections that can be grown in containers and enjoyed on the porch or patio.

I really like the Dahliettas Dahlia series. With their small compact growth habits which have many unique colors and flower forms and only grow eight to four inches tall. Dahlias don’t require any more care than what other landscape flowers need. In Mississippi, I always suggest planting in a site having good drainage. This is where growing in containers is a great idea.

Dahlias do need to be deadheaded to promote continued flowering through the season. This will also help maintain bushy and compact plant growth.

I am horticulturist Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.