All About Dahlias

Chimacum Topaz is one of the first dahlias I’ve grown. It is a superbloomer and excellent keeper.  Lots of light yellow, bronze-tipped blooms that start fairly early and stay late.

Excellent bloomer B 6-8" Semicactus in pale yellow with bronze tips

Just ready to open. A longtime favorite for cutting.

Washington State is  home to many dahlia growers. The mild maritime climate in the west of the state is particularly well-suited to growing dahlias.   However,  pests in the form of slugs, snails, earwigs, aphids and leafhoppers also thrive here and elsewhere. Dahlia diseases make their appearances too. Learn what you can do to prevent, treat, or control the enemies of the dahlia.

Dr. Hanu Pappu at Washington State University devotes time to the study of dahlia viruses in particular.  That website is linked to the left under “Dahlia Disease Links.”

Another helpful dahlia disease site is found at UC Davis website ( linked under ‘favorite dahlia links’ to the left as well.) Information is  formatted in a useful chart describing dahlia plant afflictions and solutions.

The ‘bible’ of dahlia information including some diseases and larger photos is the Colorado Dahlia Society website-disease section.

Another comprehensive list of problems with dahlias and possible causes from the UK National Dahlia Society is also linked for reference.  It contains some photos and a thorough list of symptoms of sick plants.

Preventive measures can be taken to give dahlias their best chance at healthy growing: good soil, good garden hygiene, and planting techniques that allow adequate drainage and air circulation will go a long way to allow healthy plants.  When diseases or pests strike, there are several routes to take ranging from outright destruction of the plant, to integrated pest management, to chemical warfare.  The dahlia gardener will have to act on their own beliefs as to how to proceed.  I like to keep the garden as organic as possible believing that balance in nature should be altered as little as possible.    Natural predators can be encouraged: ladybugs are your friends. Ducks eat slugs and snails. Birds eat many insects.  Moles should be sent to the next county, they are nothing but trouble.

Hillcrest Kismet-

As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the most beautiful dahlias out there. It is a study in radiant colors, with each petal perfectly placed.  For me, it’s a lousy reproducer/keeper.   The plan is to buy at least one each and every year for as long as I live and garden.  T

B 6-8″

FD 4

Hillcrest Kismet freshly rinsed

after the rain

ft plant.

B FD 4 ft plant producing many excellent cutting blooms in muted orange with white tips.