The Lakeland Autumn Dahlia is a popular choice for gardeners seeking to extend vibrant color into the late growing season. This tuberous plant offers a striking visual impact, bringing warmth and depth to garden beds and floral arrangements when many other blooms begin to fade.
Understanding Lakeland Autumn Dahlia
The Lakeland Autumn Dahlia presents a distinctive appearance. Its blooms typically begin as dark pink buds, unfurling into a sunset yellow with coral orange tips as they mature, mirroring the changing colors of autumn leaves. These flowers can reach a significant size, up to 8 inches across. The plant itself generally reaches a mature height of 36 to 48 inches.
This dahlia is a valuable addition due to its extended bloom period. It typically flowers from summer until the first frost in autumn, ensuring a continuous display of color and maintaining visual interest in landscapes well into the fall months.
Cultivating Lakeland Autumn Dahlias
Successful cultivation of Lakeland Autumn Dahlias begins with careful site selection and thorough soil preparation. These plants thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth and abundant flowering. Well-draining soil is important, ideally a rich, loamy type. Incorporating organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, improves soil structure, drainage, and fertility, creating an optimal environment for tuber development.
Plant Lakeland Autumn Dahlia tubers in spring after the last threat of frost has passed, when soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently. Tubers are typically planted 4 to 6 inches deep and spaced approximately 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth. Proper planting depth encourages strong root development.
Ample sunlight is a primary requirement for these dahlias, as it directly influences their ability to produce numerous, large blooms. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering. Therefore, choosing the sunniest location in the garden is beneficial.
Consistent moisture is important for Lakeland Autumn Dahlias, especially during periods of active growth and flowering. Throughout the growing season, regular watering is necessary to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, which can lead to tuber rot.
Fertilization supports the vigorous growth and prolific blooming of Lakeland Autumn Dahlias. Applying a balanced fertilizer during the early growing season promotes healthy foliage and root development. As the plants begin to set buds and flower, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage more blooms and strengthen the plant structure. A high potash fertilizer every few weeks during summer can be beneficial.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Providing structural support is often necessary for Lakeland Autumn Dahlias due to their mature height of 36 to 48 inches and the weight of their large blooms. Staking young plants with sturdy stakes or cages prevents stems from bending or breaking, especially during windy conditions or heavy rain. This ensures the plant maintains an upright habit and displays its flowers effectively.
Deadheading, the removal of spent or faded flowers, encourages continuous blooming in Lakeland Autumn Dahlias. By removing old flowers, the plant redirects its energy from seed production to producing new buds, extending the flowering season. Regularly inspecting and pinching off faded blooms sustains the plant’s vigor.
Managing common garden pests and diseases helps maintain the health of Lakeland Autumn Dahlias. New shoots can be vulnerable to slugs and aphids, requiring protective measures in early growth stages. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves. Ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent its spread. Regular inspection allows for early detection and targeted management.
Winterizing Lakeland Autumn Dahlias
Preparing Lakeland Autumn Dahlias for winter dormancy is important in colder climates to ensure their survival. After the first hard frost blackens the foliage, cut back the stems to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Allowing the tubers to remain in the ground for a short period can help them cure slightly and toughen their skin, which aids in storage.
Lifting and storing the tubers properly prevents them from freezing and rotting during winter. Carefully dig around the plant, lifting the entire clump of tubers without damaging them. Allow the tubers to air dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Once dry, store them in a cool, dark, and dry location, ideally between 40-50°F (4-10°C). Place the tubers in a container filled with a slightly damp medium like peat moss, wood shavings, or vermiculite to maintain humidity and prevent desiccation or rot. Inspect the tubers periodically throughout winter, removing any that show signs of rot or disease.