The ‘Fashion Monger’ dahlia is a captivating addition to any garden, renowned for its distinctive appearance and ability to draw attention. This popular cultivar offers striking visual appeal, making it a favored choice for enhancing outdoor spaces. It brings a vibrant touch to borders, beds, or containers.
Unique Characteristics
The ‘Fashion Monger’ dahlia displays a distinctive collarette flower form, which features a single row of broad outer petals surrounding a central disc, complemented by an inner “collar” of smaller petals. Its blooms typically measure between 3 to 4 inches (7-10 cm) in diameter, presenting a captivating mix of colors. The outer petals are primarily white, dramatically tinged with purple-red or vibrant red, often fading into deep pink with subtle white tips.
Inside this outer ring, a creamy-white collar of shorter, twisted petals encircles a bright golden-yellow central disc. This combination of color and petal structure gives the ‘Fashion Monger’ a unique, almost three-dimensional appearance. The plant itself generally achieves a height of 36 to 48 inches (90-120 cm) with an upright, bushy growth habit.
Planting and Growing
These plants thrive in locations that receive full sun exposure, ideally six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day, to support robust growth and abundant flowering. Well-drained, loamy soil is preferred, with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral. If your soil contains heavy clay, incorporating organic matter such as compost or peat moss can greatly improve drainage and aeration.
Planting should occur in the spring, after any risk of frost has completely passed and the soil temperature has warmed sufficiently. Tubers should be positioned about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) deep, ensuring the “eye,” or the small bump from which the stem will emerge, faces upward. Proper spacing is also important, with approximately 18 inches (45 cm) between each plant to allow for adequate air circulation and growth. Consistent moisture is necessary, particularly during dry periods, but waterlogging must be avoided to prevent tuber rot. Once established, providing a deep watering two to three times per week is generally sufficient, increasing frequency during hot, dry weather. A low-nitrogen fertilizer can be applied lightly on a monthly basis until early fall to support healthy development without encouraging excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms.
Ongoing Maintenance
Deadheading, the process of removing spent flowers, is an important task that encourages the plant to produce more blooms throughout the season. This practice redirects the plant’s energy from seed production toward generating new flowers. Simply snip off the faded bloom at the point where it meets a leaf or a side shoot.
Providing structural support through staking can be beneficial, especially given the plant’s mature height of 36 to 48 inches and its potentially heavy blooms. While some sources suggest ‘Fashion Monger’ may not always require staking due to its lighter blooms and erect stems, monitoring your plants is advisable. Insert a sturdy stake near the plant at planting time to avoid damaging the tuber later, and gently tie the stems to it as they grow. Regularly inspect for signs of slugs, earwigs, or spider mites, and promptly address any issues with appropriate organic controls if possible. Ensuring good air circulation through proper spacing can help deter fungal issues like powdery mildew.
Winter Care and Storage
For gardeners in colder climates, specifically USDA Zones 7 and below, ‘Fashion Monger’ dahlia tubers require special attention for winter preservation. Before the first hard frost, typically when the foliage has blackened, the tubers should be carefully lifted from the ground. This involves gently digging around the plant to avoid damaging the tubers, then lifting the entire clump.
After lifting, excess soil should be removed, and the clumps can be gently rinsed. Allow the tubers to cure in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area for several days, typically about one to two weeks, until the skin toughens. Once cured, store the tubers in a cool, dark, and frost-free location, ideally where temperatures remain between 40-50°F (4-10°C). They can be placed in crates or cardboard boxes, layered with a medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to maintain humidity and prevent desiccation. Periodically inspect the stored tubers throughout the winter months for any signs of rot or shriveling, removing any affected tubers to prevent the spread of issues.