Dahlia ‘Babette’ is a popular garden plant known for its vibrant blooms and manageable size. Cultivating this dahlia brings color and unique texture to garden beds or containers. Understanding its needs for planting, ongoing care, and winter preparation ensures a successful growing experience.
Dahlia Babette Characteristics
Dahlia ‘Babette’ features distinctive pompon-shaped flowers, 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The blooms are apricot-orange to salmon-pink, with tightly rolled petals forming perfect spheres. This unique form and warm hue make ‘Babette’ a standout in mixed borders or as a specimen plant.
The plant reaches a mature height of 2 to 3 feet, making it versatile for various garden designs. Its compact stature fits well in smaller garden plots or containers. Lush green foliage provides an appealing backdrop, highlighting the bright, spherical blooms throughout the growing season.
Planting Dahlia Babette
Plant Dahlia ‘Babette’ tubers in spring, after all frost danger has passed and soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F (15°C) or higher. Choose a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, as ample sun promotes vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
Dahlias need well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Heavy clay soils can cause tuber rot, while sandy soils may lack moisture or nutrients. Amend the planting area with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and fertility, creating an optimal environment for root development.
Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches deep. Place the tuber horizontally with the “eye” or growth point facing upwards; this is where the new stem will emerge. Cover the tuber with 2 to 3 inches of soil initially, leaving a slight depression for easier watering and gradual filling as the plant grows.
Space tubers 18 to 24 inches apart for adequate air circulation and mature growth. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil. Avoid overwatering at this stage, as tubers lack roots to absorb excess moisture, which can lead to rot. Water minimally until the first shoots emerge.
Caring for Dahlia Babette
Once established, Dahlia ‘Babette’ requires consistent moisture. Regular watering, especially during dry spells, maintains soil moisture and supports continuous blooming. Deep water two to three times a week, rather than shallow watering, to encourage a strong, deep root system. Avoid waterlogging the soil to prevent root issues.
Fertilize Dahlia ‘Babette’ to support prolific flowering. Begin once the plant reaches about 1 foot in height, using a balanced fertilizer with lower nitrogen, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 formulation. High nitrogen promotes leafy growth over flowers. Apply fertilizer every three to four weeks until early September for a steady nutrient supply.
Due to its height and numerous blooms, Dahlia ‘Babette’ benefits from staking. Install stakes at planting time or when the plant is young to prevent stem damage. A single sturdy stake per plant or a cage structure provides sufficient support, keeping the plant upright and preventing toppling in wind or rain.
Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, encourages more blooms by redirecting the plant’s energy from seed production to new flower buds. Pinching back the central stem when the plant is about 12 inches tall also promotes bushier growth and more flowers. Regularly inspect plants for common pests like aphids or slugs for early intervention and to maintain plant vigor.
Winter Care and Tuber Storage
In regions with freezing temperatures, Dahlia ‘Babette’ tubers must be lifted and stored for winter. Begin after the first hard frost, which ends the growing season and blackens foliage. This allows the plant to send energy back into the tubers for dormancy. Before digging, cut stems back to 4 to 6 inches above ground.
Carefully lift tubers from the soil using a garden fork, avoiding damage by digging several inches away from the stem. Gently shake off excess soil; do not wash them thoroughly. Air dry tubers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location for several days to a week.
After drying, remove remaining soil and trim fine roots. Inspect each tuber for disease or damage, discarding any soft, mushy, or rotted ones. Place healthy tubers in a breathable container, such as a cardboard box or plastic bin with ventilation holes.
Layer tubers with a storage medium like peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings. This medium absorbs excess moisture and insulates tubers, preventing complete drying. Store containers in a cool, dark, dry location between 40°F and 50°F (4°C to 10°C). A basement, unheated garage, or cool cellar provides ideal overwintering conditions.
Propagating Dahlia Babette
Propagate Dahlia ‘Babette’ by tuber division in spring, just before planting. This method increases your stock from existing tubers. Examine overwintered tuber clumps for visible “eyes” or growth points, which are small, often pinkish buds on the tuber’s crown near the old stem. Each division must have at least one viable eye and a piece of the original crown to grow successfully.
Using a clean, sharp knife or pruners, cut the tuber clump into individual sections. Ensure each section contains at least one eye and is connected to a portion of the main tuber for nutrient storage. Dust cut surfaces with fungicidal powder to help prevent rot. Allowing cut surfaces to “cure” or dry for a day or two before planting also reduces disease risk.