The ‘Glamour Girl’ dahlia is a favored selection for gardeners, known for its striking presence. This cultivar creates a focal point with its impressive size and rich hues, adding vibrant color and texture throughout the growing season.
Key Characteristics of Glamour Girl Dahlia
The ‘Glamour Girl’ dahlia is a dinnerplate variety, with blooms reaching 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) across. These flowers feature a fuchsia or raspberry pink base, often brushed with white at the tips or base of each petal. The petals are often slightly incurved or curled inwards, contributing to its informal decorative or semi-cactus form. This dahlia grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters), making it a prominent addition to garden beds. Its flowering period extends from mid-summer until the first hard frost in autumn.
Planting Glamour Girl Dahlias
Plant ‘Glamour Girl’ dahlias after all danger of spring frost has passed and soil temperature consistently reaches at least 60°F (16°C). These plants thrive in full sun, requiring a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Dahlias prefer fertile, humus-rich, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Incorporate a 2 to 3-inch layer of compost into the planting area to enhance soil structure and nutrient content.
Plant tubers 4 to 6 inches deep, with the “eye” or sprout facing upwards. Space ‘Glamour Girl’ plants up to 36 inches apart for proper air circulation and growth. Do not water tubers immediately after planting, as they lack roots and excess moisture can lead to rot before sprouting. Once green shoots emerge, regular watering can begin.
Ongoing Care for Glamour Girl Dahlias
Water ‘Glamour Girl’ dahlias consistently, especially during dry periods and peak summer, when they may require deep watering one to two times per week. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, as poor drainage can lead to tuber rot. Proper hydration prevents stress during intense heat.
Feed these vigorous plants with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-10) about once a month or twice during the growing season. Fertilizers with higher nitrogen content can promote lush foliage at the expense of flower production. Due to their height and large blooms, ‘Glamour Girl’ dahlias require staking to prevent stems from breaking. Install a sturdy stake, typically 4 to 6 feet tall, at planting time for support as the plant grows.
Pinch the central growing tip when the plant reaches 15 to 16 inches tall, or has three to four sets of leaves, to encourage branching. This promotes a bushier plant structure and leads to more blooms. Regularly deadhead spent flowers to redirect the plant’s energy from seed production into creating more flowers, ensuring a continuous display until the first frost.
Common Issues and Solutions
‘Glamour Girl’ dahlias can encounter various issues, including common garden pests. Aphids, leaf miners, and spider mites can infest foliage, while slugs and earwigs may damage leaves and blooms. Regularly monitor plants for early detection and timely intervention using organic pest control methods or horticultural soaps.
Dahlias are also susceptible to diseases. Powdery mildew can appear in dry conditions, while root rot stems from overwatering or poorly draining soil. Gray mold (botrytis) can develop during high humidity and rain. Good air circulation and proper soil drainage prevent these issues. Addressing environmental stressors like insufficient sunlight (less than six hours daily) or inconsistent watering can prevent a lack of blooms or leaf discoloration. Brown or yellowing leaves may indicate too much sun, underwatering, or over-fertilization, requiring care adjustments.
Harvesting and Enjoying Blooms
To enjoy ‘Glamour Girl’ dahlia blooms indoors, harvest them at the right time. The best time to cut flowers is during the cool parts of the day, either early morning after dew has dried or late evening. Select blooms that are fully open but still firm, as buds may not always open once cut.
When cutting, use sharp, clean shears and take a long stem, cutting just above a set of leaves or where the stem connects to another branch. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms from remaining nodes. Immediately after cutting, place stems into a bucket of cool, clean water. Remove any foliage that would fall below the waterline in a vase to prevent bacterial growth and prolong vase life.
Winterizing and Storing Tubers
For gardeners in colder climates (USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and below), ‘Glamour Girl’ dahlia tubers are not winter-hardy and must be lifted and stored indoors. Dig them up one to two weeks after the first hard frost causes foliage to turn brown or mushy, signaling dormancy. This period allows tubers to cure and toughen their skins for storage.
Cut dahlia stalks down to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Carefully dig around the plant with a pitchfork to avoid damaging tubers, then gently lift the entire clump from the soil.
After removing soil, allow tubers to air dry for several days to a few weeks in a cool, dry location with good air circulation. Once dry, store them in materials like peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, or sawdust within cardboard boxes or paper bags. Ensure tubers are not touching to prevent rot.
The storage area should maintain a consistent temperature between 40-50°F (4-10°C) with moderate humidity. Periodically check tubers throughout winter, misting lightly if they shrivel, and removing any showing signs of disease or decay.