Growing Dahlias in Hot Weather
Climate change is creating new challenges for plants as well as for gardeners. While some plants can take hotter summers in stride, others, like dahlias, struggle. But dahlia growers in Georgia and other southern states have many years of experience growing dahlias in hot weather. Read on for practical tips and a list of heat-tolerant dahlia varieties.
Dahlia Cornel
Dahlias Like it Warm, Not Hot
Like most plants, dahlias evolved in a specific location and unique ecosystem. They are native to the mountains of southern Mexico and Central America, where summer days are warm (80°F) and nights are cool (65°F). Growing conditions along the Pacific Northwest coast are similar, which is why gardeners who live there can grow such fabulous dahlias. When temperatures are warmer (during the day and/or overnight) dahlias may show signs of stress. These can include stunting, poor flower production, misshapen flowers and increased susceptibility to disease and pests.
Full Sun Isn’t Always Best
Dahlias are sun lovers and more sun usually means more blossoms. But if the sun is too hot and temperatures are too high, the plants may stop flowering. To protect your dahlias from excess heat, choose a planting location with half day rather than full day sun. Ideally, your plants would get full morning sun and filtered light in the afternoon. You can also try planting your dahlias beneath a shade tree. Overhead branches will protect the foliage from hot sun and also help reduce the air temperature.
No Shade? Consider a Shade Structure
If you live in a hot climate and want to grow a lot of dahlias, consider putting up a shade structure. It’s an ideal solution for yards without any natural shade. Polyethylene shade cloth lasts for many years and depending on the weave, you can filter out as little as 20% of the light or as much as 80%. For growing dahlias, 40% shade is usually a good option. Shade fabric will also shield the flowers from damaging rain and hail.
Mulch to Cool the Soil
Dahlias have shallow feeder roots that are only about 1” below the soil surface and they can extend as much as 18” in all directions. Covering the soil with 2-3” of mulch will insulate these roots and help protect them from extreme heat. Make sure the mulch is no more than 2 to 3” thick, and that it lets water flow through into the soil. The best time to mulch is early July — once your plants are growing strong and before it gets too hot.
Dahlia Rip City
Provide Good Drainage and Lots of Organic Matter
Dahlias thrive in rich, humusy soil. At the beginning or end of each growing season, enrich the planting area with a generous amount of compost, shredded leaves or rotted mature. Loose soil that contains lots of organic matter encourages strong root growth and also absorbs moisture, so it’s available to the plants as needed.
Dahlias must be planted in well drained soil. This is especially important in areas that get heavy summer rains. Soggy soil can suffocate the roots, stress the plants, and cause tubers to rot.
If the soil in your yard is naturally heavy, consider growing your dahlias in raised beds. This way, you can fill the beds with the best possible soil and ensure there will always be excellent drainage. You can also consider growing dahlias in containers filled with a high-quality growing mix that’s been amended with compost.
Water Wisely and Consider Using Drip Irrigation
Dahlias don’t like wet soil, but drought can cause almost as many problems. If natural rainfall is inadequate, it’s best to water your dahlias deeply once per week rather than watering them lightly several times per week.
Drip irrigation is great for dahlias. The foliage stays dry, and water can percolate down to the roots, slowly and evenly with no runoff. If you are hand watering, direct the water right at soil level and avoid wetting the foliage as this can encourage powdery mildew. You’ll find more tips here: How to Water Your Plants.
Dahlia Lavender Perfection
Mist On Hot Days to Keep Dahlias Cool
Dahlia growers in hot climates such as Australia, use water to help their plants survive the heat. On hot days, a misting system (on a timer) surrounds the plants in a cloud of cool, moist air. This brings down the air temperature and also ensures the plants stay well hydrated. If installing a misting system sounds daunting, use a watering wand to spray the foliage several times during the hottest parts of the day.
In warm climates, it’s important to get your dahlias established before it gets really hot. During the hottest part of the summer the plants may not flower at all. But that’s OK, because once the weather cools down, they will start setting buds and produce flowers right through October.
Feed Your Plants to Keep Them Strong
It’s difficult for hungry plants to stay strong and resilient, so do your part to make sure your dahlias have all the nutrients they need. In addition to enriching the soil with compost, it’s helpful to incorporate a 5-5-5 fertilizer at planting time.
Once your dahlias start to bloom, fertilize the plants every two weeks during July and August. Use a water soluble fertilizer formulated for roses or tomatoes, or a low or no-nitrogen organic fertilizer such as Alaska MorBloom. Alternatively, you could use a time release fertilizer such as Osmocote. Just remember to reapply it in mid-summer.
Dahlia Arabian Night
Heat-Tolerant Dahlia Varieties
Through trial and error, warm climate gardeners have discovered that some dahlia varieties are naturally more heat tolerant than others. The list below was gleaned from a number of different dahlia organizations in the southeast.
Akita, Babylon Red, Ben Huston, Belle of Barmera, Bishop of Llandaff, Blackberry Ripple, Cornel, Ferncliff Copper, Hamari Gold, Kelvin Floodlight, Kidd’s Climax, Lady Darlene, Lavender Perfection, Mingus Alex, Otto’s Thrill, Penhill Dark Monarch, Penhill Watermelon, Pooh, Rip City, Senior Ball, Show N Tell, Spartacus, Tartan, Thomas Edison, White Perfection, Winkie Colonel, Vasio Meggos, Zorro.
It’s also good to ask around and get recommendations from local gardeners. You are likely to find some pass-along varieties that have proven to be particularly good for your region. An alphabetical list of heat-tolerant dahlias, recommended by members of the Dahlia Society of Georgia can be found HERE.
We hope some of these garden-tested techniques will help you be successful growing dahlias in hot weather.
I have a beautiful spot that I am considering a dahlia garden. Since I am in the woods in zone 7 I believe, and this is a back yard cleared when the home was built, I am thinking the full sun from 11-3 might be perfect. I do know I would have to prepare the soil since it barely grows grass under the sweet gum trees ( yeah, I know they are not the best trees in a yard unless you like stepping on those sticky balls all the time) It is also a hillside yard with a gentle slope.
I have deer that were in abundance before I moved here one year ago and brought my dogs. They have been a bit more selective when deciding to jump the fence but an occasional HOSTA salad seems a favorite choice, Do they like Dahlias? Deer I mean.
I have to get all in order for a working garden and prepare to take up the tubers in this area I presume. I am prepared to take on the challenge in about a year from now. Any suggestions?
Hi Dawn, For information about deer resistance, I usually refer to the Rutgers University guide to Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance. Unfortunately, they give dahlias a “C”, having found them to be “occasionally severely damaged.” So you may need to be prepared to protect your plants from deer.
Dahlias are a lot like tomatoes. They grow best when planted in well-drained soil that has been amended with lots of compost. The depth of good soil should be at least 12″. Since you are considering planting them in a place with poor soil, consider putting in a raised bed and filling it with a mix of top soil and compost. That way you can give them the best possible chance of success. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Great information, love the list of heat tolerant varieties, I like the fact that you agree with mulch use.
Thank you!!
Hi Guillermo – thank you for leaving a comment. If you try some of these varieties and/or have other growing tips, please add them here.
I live in NH and have been growing dahlias for years in MA and CO. There is no doubt that there is climate change. I have had two summers of very hot weather and poor dahlia turn out. This year especially bad. Have not had rain for a month and I don’t think dahlias really like town water all the time. Pat
Hi Patricia – Yes, I garden in Vermont and am seeing the same thing. So far, my dahlias are performing better this summer than last. I moved them into the vegetable garden where the soil is better, and have been watering and fertilizing them regularly. I have a friend who grows hers in almost pure compost with drip irrigation and they do beautifully. It seems to me they like being pampered — much like tomatoes!