The Paso Doble Dahlia is a captivating addition to any garden, celebrated for its vibrant blooms and ability to transform outdoor spaces with rich color. Its popularity stems from its striking appearance and generous flowering habit, making it a favored choice for gardeners seeking a prominent display.
Paso Doble Dahlia Characteristics
The Paso Doble Dahlia, specifically ‘Paso Doble Dancer’, showcases a distinctive bi-color pattern with soft salmon-pink petals blending into a radiant peach-yellow center. Other variations, like ‘Freya’s Paso Doble’, feature wide outer petals of bright white that fade to lemon at the base, surrounding a central boss of rich, golden yellow tubular petals. These decorative dahlias produce large blooms, typically measuring 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) wide.
The plant generally reaches an average mature height of 1 to 1.2 meters (39 to 47 inches). Its upright habit makes it suitable for various garden designs. The bloom period for Paso Doble Dahlias extends from mid-summer until the first frost in the fall, typically from July to October, providing a long season of color.
Planting Paso Doble Dahlias
Tubers should be planted outdoors after the last spring frost has passed, usually around the same time tomatoes are planted. For earlier blooms, tubers can be started indoors in pots approximately a month before the last expected frost.
A suitable location provides full sun, ideally at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, which is crucial for abundant flowering. The soil must be well-draining, moderately fertile, and rich in organic matter. Dahlias prefer a soil pH that is neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline. Incorporating well-rotted manure or compost can enhance soil quality and drainage, with sand or grit recommended for heavier clay soils.
When planting tubers, they should be placed horizontally at a depth of about 10-12 cm (4-5 inches), ensuring the ‘eyes’ (small bumps where sprouts emerge) are facing upwards. Adequate spacing between tubers, approximately 45 cm (18 inches) apart, allows plants to grow and spread without overcrowding. Avoid watering immediately after planting unless the soil is very dry, as tubers are susceptible to rot in overly moist conditions before sprouts appear.
Ongoing Care for Paso Doble Dahlias
Consistent watering is important for established Paso Doble Dahlias, especially during dry spells. Once plants are actively growing, they typically require deep watering two to three times per week, aiming for at least one inch of water per week. Deep watering ensures moisture reaches the roots, preventing shallow root development and promoting healthy growth. Dahlias in containers may need more frequent watering.
Fertilization supports vigorous growth and abundant blooms. During early growth, a balanced fertilizer can be used. Once blooming begins, a fertilizer with a higher ratio of phosphorus and potassium to nitrogen (e.g., 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 NPK) is beneficial to encourage flowers over excessive foliage. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can lead to lush green plants with fewer blooms. Applying a high-potash fertilizer every few weeks from July to September is a good practice.
Deadheading, the removal of spent or faded flowers, encourages continuous blooming and directs the plant’s energy towards producing new buds rather than seeds. This practice helps maintain the plant’s aesthetic appeal and extends the flowering season. As Paso Doble Dahlias grow tall, staking becomes necessary to prevent their hollow and brittle stems from breaking due to wind or the weight of large blooms. Stakes should be placed at planting time to avoid damaging tubers, with ties added every 30 cm (12 inches) as the plant grows, ensuring they are tight around the stake but loose around the stem to prevent constriction.
Winter Care for Paso Doble Dahlias
In regions outside USDA Zones 8-11, where temperatures drop below freezing, Paso Doble Dahlia tubers are not winter-hardy and must be dug up and stored indoors for the next growing season. The ideal time to lift tubers is after the first light frost has blackened the foliage, signaling that the plant has entered dormancy and sent energy back to the tubers. Allowing a week or two after the foliage dies back helps the tubers “cure” and toughen up.
To dig, cut the stems back to about 5-6 inches above the ground. Carefully loosen the soil around the tubers with a pitchfork, starting about a foot away from the center stem to avoid damage. Gently lift the entire clump, shaking off excess dirt. After digging, brush off remaining soil and allow the tubers to dry naturally indoors in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight for a few hours to a few days, ensuring they do not freeze.
Tubers should be stored in a cool, dark, and frost-free environment, ideally between 4-10°C (40-50°F), with relative humidity around 75-90%. Common storage mediums include peat moss, vermiculite, or wood shavings, which help regulate humidity and prevent shriveling or rotting. Check on the tubers every few weeks throughout winter, removing any that show signs of rot or mold and adjusting humidity if they appear too dry or too wet.
Common Problems and Solutions
Pests such as aphids, slugs, earwigs, and spider mites frequently target dahlias. Aphids cluster on new growth, causing yellowing and stunted development; they can be managed with neem oil, insecticidal soap, or by attracting natural predators like ladybugs. Slugs and snails feed on young leaves, leaving irregular holes and slime trails; copper barriers, diatomaceous earth, or beer traps can deter them. Earwigs chew leaves and flower petals, often at night, and can be trapped using rolled-up newspaper or oil dishes. Spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing stippling and discoloration; hosing off plants regularly or using miticides can help.
Fungal diseases, including powdery mildew and botrytis, can also affect dahlias. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves, while botrytis can cause gray mold on flowers and foliage, especially in damp conditions. Ensuring good air circulation around plants and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent these issues. Removing affected plant parts promptly can limit spread.
A lack of blooms often stems from insufficient sunlight, water, or nutrients. Dahlias require at least six hours of full sun daily for prolific flowering. Under-watering leads to drought stress, while over-watering can cause root rot and inhibit blooming. An imbalance in fertilizer, particularly too much nitrogen, directs energy to foliage growth rather than flower production. Leggy growth, characterized by tall, weak stems, often indicates insufficient sunlight or excessive nitrogen.