The ‘Summer Flame’ Dahlia is a vibrant choice for garden enthusiasts, adding color and presence to any outdoor space. Its captivating blooms make it a desirable addition, transforming beds into lively displays. This tuberous plant, a member of the Asteraceae family, enhances the summer landscape.
What Makes Summer Flame Dahlias Unique
Dahlia ‘Summer Flame’ is distinguished by its radiant warm hues. Its petals display a blend of rich tangerine, golden yellow, and deep burnt orange, often with a subtle gradient effect. This decorative dahlia is characterized by a layered, symmetrical shape, making each bloom a focal point.
The flowers are medium-sized, typically 4 to 6 inches in diameter. ‘Summer Flame’ Dahlias grow to three to four feet, making them a mid-height option for garden beds and mixed borders. Their dark green, slightly serrated foliage provides a striking contrast, enhancing the blooms.
Planting Your Summer Flame Dahlias
Proper planting is key for successful cultivation of ‘Summer Flame’ Dahlias. These plants thrive in full sun, ideally six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Sunlight is crucial for vibrant blooms and robust development.
Prepare rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Amending heavy clay soil with aged manure, compost, or peat moss improves drainage and aeration. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches to allow tubers to expand.
Plant ‘Summer Flame’ Dahlia tubers in late spring, after the last frost and soil temperatures reach around 60°F. Dig a hole about 4 to 6 inches deep, placing the tuber horizontally with the “eye” facing upward. Cover with 2 to 3 inches of soil initially, gradually filling in as the stem sprouts.
Space tubers approximately 12 to 18 inches apart for ample room and air circulation. Avoid watering immediately after planting to prevent tuber rot; wait until green sprouts emerge.
Essential Care for Thriving Summer Flame Dahlias
Consistent care ensures ‘Summer Flame’ Dahlias produce abundant blooms. Once green growth appears, begin regular, deep watering, aiming for 1 to 2 inches per week if natural rainfall is insufficient. Water deeply to encourage strong root development, allowing soil to dry between waterings to prevent tuber rot. Container dahlias may need more frequent watering.
They require full sun, at least six to eight hours daily, for vibrant blooms. In areas with intense summer heat, afternoon shade can protect foliage and blooms from scorching. As plants grow, support is important as ‘Summer Flame’ can reach three to four feet tall. Staking with sturdy posts or using a corral method prevents stems from breaking due to wind or flower weight.
Fertilization supports continuous flowering. After sprouting, a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer, such as 5-10-10 or 10-20-20, can be applied every three to four weeks from midsummer to early autumn. Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with nitrogen, as this promotes leafy growth at the expense of blooms or leads to weak tubers. Monitor for common pests like slugs, especially on new growth. Good air circulation, achieved through proper spacing and removing lower leaves, helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
Enjoying and Maintaining Blooms
‘Summer Flame’ Dahlias are prolific bloomers, typically flowering from mid-summer until the first frost. This provides continuous vibrant color. Regular deadheading maximizes flowers and maintains vigor. Removing spent blooms encourages new flowers rather than seed production.
When harvesting blooms for arrangements, cut the stems when the flowers are nearly or fully open. Closed buds may not open. Harvest in the early morning or evening. Strip foliage below the waterline to prolong vase life. More harvested or deadheaded blooms stimulate new flower production.
Winter Care for Summer Flame Dahlias
In colder climates, ‘Summer Flame’ Dahlia tubers need to be lifted and stored for winter. Dahlias are native to warmer regions, and their tubers will not survive freezing conditions. Begin after the first hard frost, which blackens foliage.
Cut the blackened foliage, leaving 2 to 4 inches of stem. Carefully dig around the tubers with a pitchfork or garden fork, avoiding damage. Once lifted, gently shake off excess soil. Rinse tubers to remove soil, then dry naturally for several days in a cool, dry, dark location with good air circulation. This curing prevents rot during storage.
After drying, store the tubers in a frost-free environment between 40 and 45°F (4-7°C). Pack them in a medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust, ensuring space between each tuber for air circulation. Cardboard boxes or milk crates are suitable. Periodically check on the tubers throughout winter, removing any showing signs of rot or shriveling to ensure viability for replanting next spring.