The ‘Peace Pact’ dahlia is a cultivar known for its pure white blooms, often featuring a contrasting golden center. Classified as a Waterlily Dahlia, its fully double flowers have broad, slightly involute ray florets that create a shallow, elegant appearance. This variety grows tall, reaching heights of 90 to 120 centimeters (3 to 4 feet), and produces large blossoms 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) wide. The sturdy stems are valued by cut flower enthusiasts, offering a vase life typically lasting seven to twelve days. It blooms profusely from midsummer until the first hard frost.
Planting and Site Selection
Successful growth of the ‘Peace Pact’ dahlia requires choosing the correct location and preparing the soil thoroughly. Dahlias need a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive and produce abundant flowers. While full sun is best, light afternoon shade can prevent scorching in regions with extremely hot summers. A sheltered location is also beneficial, as tall stems and large flowers are vulnerable to strong winds.
The ideal soil must be rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic, with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Tubers are susceptible to rot if they sit in standing water, so drainage is essential. Amending the area with two to three inches of compost or well-rotted manure before planting improves soil structure and nutrient content.
Plant tubers only after all danger of spring frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed to at least 15°C (60°F). Dig a hole four to six inches deep and place the tuber horizontally, with the growth bud facing upward. Cover the tuber’s crown with at least three inches of soil. This cultivar requires 16 to 18 inches of spacing between tubers. After planting, water once, then refrain from watering until the first green shoots emerge to prevent the tuber from rotting.
Essential Ongoing Maintenance
Once the ‘Peace Pact’ dahlia is actively growing, it requires consistent watering to sustain its large foliage and heavy blooming cycle. The plant needs deep moisture, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Water deeply two to three times per week, ensuring the moisture penetrates to the depth of the planted tuber. Using drip irrigation or a soaker hose is recommended, as it delivers water directly to the root zone while keeping the foliage dry, minimizing the risk of fungal diseases.
Fertilization must be managed carefully, as dahlias thrive best with low-nitrogen formulas once established. Too much nitrogen promotes lush, leafy growth at the expense of flower production. Look for a fertilizer with an NPK ratio where the first number (Nitrogen) is lower than the second (Phosphorus) and third (Potassium), such as 5-10-10 or 5-10-15. The first application should begin about 30 days after planting, with repeat applications every three to four weeks throughout the active growing season.
To encourage a bushier plant with more flowering stems, perform “pinching” when the plant reaches about 12 inches tall. This involves snipping off the central growing tip, removing three to four inches of the main stem just above a set of leaves. This forces the plant to branch out lower down, leading to more lateral stems and blooms. Ongoing maintenance also includes deadheading, which is the removal of spent flowers by cutting the stem deeply. This prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production and prolongs the blooming period until frost.
Because the ‘Peace Pact’ dahlia reaches four feet in height and produces heavy flowers, providing support is necessary. Place a sturdy wooden or metal stake next to the tuber at the time of planting to avoid damaging the root system later. As the plant grows, gently tie the main stems to the stake to keep the structure upright, especially during high winds or heavy rain.
Protecting Your Peace Pact Dahlia
Dahlias are susceptible to common garden pests and diseases that require proactive management. Slugs and snails are particularly drawn to the tender new shoots when they first emerge. Applying an iron phosphate-based bait is an effective, organic method for control that is safer for pets and wildlife than traditional chemical options.
Aphids and earwigs can also be a nuisance, and a strong jet of water from a hose can often dislodge these pests from the stems and undersides of leaves. Fungal issues, such as powdery mildew, may appear in periods of high humidity or poor air circulation. To prevent this, ensure adequate spacing between plants and use drip irrigation to keep the foliage dry. If mildew appears, an application of an organic fungicide or neem oil can help manage its spread.
Because the ‘Peace Pact’ dahlia is not frost-hardy, its tubers must be lifted and stored indoors in zones colder than USDA Zone 8. Wait until the first hard frost has blackened the foliage, which signals the plant to enter dormancy and helps toughen the tuber’s skin. After about a week, cut the stems back to a few inches above the soil line and carefully dig up the clump of tubers using a digging fork, taking care not to pierce them.
Gently brush off most of the soil, and allow the tubers to air dry in a cool, protected location away from direct sunlight for a day or two to cure the skin. Once dry, the tubers should be stored in a dark, frost-free location where the temperature remains consistently between 7°C and 10°C (45°F and 50°F). Packing the tubers in a medium like dry peat moss, wood shavings, or vermiculite inside a cardboard box or paper bag helps maintain proper humidity and prevents shriveling or rotting. Check on the stored tubers periodically throughout the winter to ensure they remain firm and to remove any that show signs of rot or mold.