Discovering Garden Desire Dahlia
The ‘Garden Desire’ dahlia offers a captivating display with its unique color transformation, from lilac-pink buds to yellow, red, and orange blooms, sometimes with salmon-pink and yellow centers. This decorative dahlia grows 60 to 100 centimeters (2 to 3.3 feet) tall with a compact habit. It suits garden borders and thrives in pots. Blooming occurs from mid-summer, July, through early fall, until the first frost in October.
Planting Your Garden Desire Dahlia
Successful planting of ‘Garden Desire’ dahlia tubers begins with selecting an appropriate site. These plants flourish in locations receiving full sun, ideally six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Well-draining soil is important, as tubers are susceptible to rot in waterlogged conditions. Improving heavy clay soils with organic matter such as compost, aged manure, or peat moss enhances drainage and aeration.
Planting should occur in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has reached at least 15°C (60°F). Dig a hole approximately 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) deep, placing the tuber horizontally with any visible “eyes” or sprouts facing upwards. Space individual tubers about 45 to 60 centimeters (18 to 24 inches) apart to allow for proper growth and air circulation. After covering the tuber with soil, avoid immediate heavy watering; instead, water lightly or wait until sprouts emerge to prevent rot.
Essential Care for Garden Desire Dahlia
Consistent watering is important for the health and bloom production of ‘Garden Desire’ dahlias. After the initial planting, once green shoots are visible, deep watering should be provided regularly, two to three times per week, ensuring the root zone is thoroughly soaked. Water at the base of the plant using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep foliage dry, which can help prevent fungal issues. Allowing the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings helps prevent root rot.
Fertilization supports robust growth and abundant flowering. Dahlias benefit from a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer, or a balanced organic option, applied monthly during the growing season. Too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of blooms. Tall dahlia varieties like ‘Garden Desire’, which can reach up to 100 cm, require staking to support their heavy blooms and prevent stems from bending or breaking. Stakes, such as bamboo canes or metal rods, should be placed at planting time to avoid damaging the tubers or roots later.
Deadheading, the removal of spent blooms, is an effective practice to encourage continuous flowering. By snipping off faded flowers just above a set of healthy leaves or a new bud, the plant redirects energy from seed production into developing more blossoms. Regularly inspecting and removing old flowers also maintains the plant’s aesthetic appearance throughout the season. This consistent care routine helps ensure a season-long display of vibrant blooms.
Overwintering Garden Desire Dahlia
In colder climates where ground freezes, ‘Garden Desire’ dahlia tubers are not winter hardy and require lifting and storing indoors for protection. The optimal time to dig up tubers is after the first hard frost has blackened the foliage, but before the ground freezes solid. This initial frost signals the plant to enter dormancy and helps toughen the tuber skin. After the foliage is cut back to about 15 centimeters (6 inches) from the ground, carefully lift the entire clump of tubers from the soil.
Once dug, gently remove excess soil from the tubers. It is important to allow the tubers to dry thoroughly in a cool, well-ventilated area for several days to a week before storage, which helps prevent rot. Store the dried tubers in a cool, dark, and dry location where temperatures remain between 4°C and 10°C (38°F and 50°F), with a relative humidity of 75-85%. Tubers can be placed in open trays or cardboard boxes and covered with dry materials like peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings to maintain humidity and prevent shriveling. Regularly check stored tubers for any signs of rot or excessive drying throughout the winter, removing any affected ones promptly.
Addressing Common Challenges
While ‘Garden Desire’ dahlias are robust, they can encounter common garden challenges. Pests like slugs and snails are particularly problematic for young shoots, while aphids, spider mites, and thrips can feed on sap, causing distorted leaves and stunted growth. Regularly inspecting plants helps in early detection, and insecticidal soaps or neem oil sprays can help manage infestations. Slugs and snails can be deterred with barriers or traps.
Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, may appear as a white, powdery coating on leaves, especially in humid conditions or areas with poor air circulation. Root rot can occur from overwatering or poorly draining soil, leading to yellowing leaves and wilting despite wet conditions. Ensuring good air circulation around plants and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent fungal issues. Proper soil drainage is important to avoid root rot.