What should I know about dahlias?
The Short Answer
Dahlias are show-stopping summer and fall flowers with intricate, geometric petals in an enormous range of sizes and colors. From tiny pompons to dinner-plate blooms, they bring bold drama to late-season arrangements and symbolize dignity and commitment.
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The star of late summer
Dahlias are one of the great showpiece flowers, and for a few glorious months in Michigan they are unbeatable. Their blooms are marvels of geometry, with petals arranged in tight, precise spirals, and they range from little two-inch pompons to enormous dinner-plate varieties the size of a face. They come in nearly every color except true blue, including rich burgundies, corals, and even striped bicolors. In the language of flowers, dahlias symbolize dignity, elegance, and a lasting bond or commitment, which has made them a favorite for late-season weddings and milestone celebrations.
Their season and their impact
Dahlias are a summer-into-fall flower, hitting their peak from midsummer through the first frost, which in Genesee County means roughly August into October. That timing makes them a defining bloom of late-summer and autumn arrangements, and locally grown dahlias from Michigan farms are among the most beautiful flowers we ever get our hands on. As focal flowers they need little help, a few large dahlias can anchor an entire centerpiece. They pair wonderfully with seasonal companions like zinnias, gladiolus, and greenery, and their sculptural shape gives an arrangement instant sophistication.
Caring for these fragile beauties
Dahlias are stunning but a bit delicate, with a shorter vase life than sturdier flowers, usually four to six days. To get the most from them, cut and condition them well, keep the water very clean and change it often, and keep them cool and out of direct heat and drafts. Their hollow stems benefit from being placed in water promptly. Because they are so eye-catching and seasonal, dahlias are best enjoyed for a specific event or a special gift rather than long-term display. A dahlia-forward seasonal arrangement typically runs $60 to $110 depending on bloom size.
Planning Tips From Our Designers
- Order dahlias from late summer through the first frost for peak beauty.
- Use just a few large dahlias to anchor a whole centerpiece.
- Seek out locally grown Michigan dahlias when in season.
- Keep the water very clean and change it often for these delicate blooms.
- Enjoy dahlias for a special event, since their vase life is shorter.
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