Can you grow Dahlias in pots?

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How to get started growing Dahlias in pots?

Danish organic flower farmer Rikke Lentz grows organic flowers for a living. According to her, the most important ingredients for successful growth are water, nutrients, attention, love, and care.

In areas with a risk of frosty seasons Dahlia tubers are lifted from their growing space in late autumn and stored frost safe over winter, to be replanted the following spring.

“Dahlias need extra attention from the very start until they have awakened from their winter hibernation and start growing again. Replant the tubers, when you are sure they in no way will be exposed to frost, give them a handful of organic fertilizer when planting, and a sip of water.”  Rikke says.

On a daily basis, Rikke runs Bredehavekiosk and takes care of almost 4.000 square meters of organic flower fields at Mangholm in Denmark. Organic flower farming is a big passion of hers and over the years she has gotten to know the nature of Dahlias pretty well.

“As soon as the tubers start shooting, it is again time for a decent amount of water. Dahlias need to be watered well, as they are to be considered as “hungry plants” in terms of both water and nutrients. If you pamper your Dahlias, they will reward you with many beautiful flowers. Even when living in pots. But the watering and the nutrients are essential.” Rikke explains. 

How to get many flowers?

When the Dahlia plant has grown 10-15 cm tall, Rikke recommends pinching the plant. If you do that and continue to water the plant as much as needed during the summer, you will be pleased with the prettiest of flowers from August – and sometimes even earlier. As long as you keep picking flowers, the plant continues to blossom until fall when the frost kicks in.

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The benefits of growing Dahlias in pots

Living in the city or in a limited space is no impediment to practicing the sweet cottage life – Dahlias and flourishing flower dreams included. 

If you are looking to have a garden full of flourishing Dahlia early in the season, you can get a head start by growing Dahlia in pots. Growing or starting out in pots, makes it possible to start waking up the tubers already in March – or as early as six weeks before the frosty season has ended.

In her Swedish cottage house, Elin Lannsjö has gone all-in on Dahlias, which according to her has extended the season of flourishing flowers on her small plot considerably. 

Growing Dahlias in pots has also made it possible for Elin to remodel the appearance of her garden space, creating different visual expressions during the summer. 

“Another great thing about having the thirsty plants in pots is the opportunity to move them to an area of shade on the days I need to be away, and obviously cannot be around to keep an eye out for their thirst. Resting in the shade for a couple of days, the Dahlias do not require as much water as in the scorching sun” Elin says.

Read more about how Elin Lannsjö is living with Bergs Potter here.

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What to consider when choosing Dahlias for bouquets?

“I like to choose varieties that have long stems, are lasting long in the vase, and are suitable for all bouquets of the season,” Elin Lannsjö says.

Elin likes a few stalks of mismatching colours in a bouquet, preferably together with sheer leaves flowers (peasant roses or bell mallow, etc.) and it becomes magic. The vibrant and expressive Dahlias she loves to use in what she calls “crazy mixes”.

In Rikke’s opinion it is a matter of taste when choosing the perfect Dahlias: “My taste in flowers changes year after year. I started with very clear colours and currently, I am more into the soft tones and the very dark ones. The most durable cut-flower Dahlias are the type of ‘ball dahlias’, rather than ‘dinner plate’ e.g. But when that is said I think there is nothing more beautiful than a bouquet of dinner plate dahlia, for example of Café Au Lait and Break Out,” Rikke concludes.

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What are the top Dahlia varieties of 2022?

Dahlias come in a vast range of flower sizes, plant sizes, colours and visual expressions. Both Rikke Lentz and Elin Lannsjö are in the know of what is happening within the world of flowers and fashion, so we couldn’t help asking them for their top 5 Dahlia varieties of the year.

According to Rikke, the five most fantastic species she looks forward to this year would be: 

Seattle

Cafe Au Lait

Preference

Rocco 

and Worton Blue Streak 

The top five pick for Elin this year is:

Café Au Lait

Wizard of Oz

Cornel Bronze

Penhill Waterlemon

and Caramel Antique

The ‘Dinner plate’ Dahlias – a term applied to any variety that produces big flowers (flowers as big as a ‘dinner plate’) – seem to continue to be a dearly loved darling in the bouquets and in the gardens this year too.

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Words: Bergs Potter – Photos: Elin Lannsjö and Bredehavekiosk

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We are always curious and eager to learn how and what you grow in your corner of the world – and not at least how you  are living with Bergs Potter.
Please share your experience by tagging us on Instagram or Pinterest; #livingwithBergs, #bergspotter.