The ‘Sweet Sanne’ dahlia is a captivating variety known for its unique coloration and robust blooms. It offers consistent floral displays throughout the warmer months, making it a popular choice for garden beds and containers.
Meet Sweet Sanne Dahlia
The ‘Sweet Sanne’ dahlia is known for its distinctive salmon-pink to apricot-orange blooms, often blending these warm hues. Its formal decorative-type flowers typically reach 4 to 6 inches across with neatly arranged petals. This dahlia usually grows 3 to 4 feet tall, adding a notable vertical element to the garden. It blooms consistently from mid-summer until the first hard frost.
Planting Sweet Sanne Dahlia
Plant ‘Sweet Sanne’ dahlia tubers after the last spring frost, when soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F (15°C). Select a site with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal bloom production. The soil needs to be well-draining and rich in organic matter to support healthy tuber development.
Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches deep and lay the tuber horizontally with the ‘eye’ facing upwards. Space individual tubers 18 to 24 inches apart for adequate air circulation and root expansion. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the tuber.
Caring for Sweet Sanne Dahlia
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Sweet Sanne’ dahlias, especially during dry periods and bloom development. Water deeply two to three times a week, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once established and actively growing, apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10 formulation, every three to four weeks. Due to their height and generous blooms, ‘Sweet Sanne’ dahlias benefit from staking to prevent stems from bending or breaking. Regularly removing spent flowers (deadheading) encourages the plant to produce more blooms throughout the season.
Winter Care for Sweet Sanne Dahlia
In regions where winter temperatures drop below freezing, ‘Sweet Sanne’ dahlia tubers require lifting and indoor storage. After the first hard frost blackens the foliage, cut stems back to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Gently dig around the plant, lifting the entire tuber clump from the soil, taking care to avoid damage. Rinse excess soil from the tubers and allow them to air dry in a cool, well-ventilated area for several days to cure. Once cured, store tubers in a cool, dark location (40-50°F / 4-10°C) with moderate humidity, nested in peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust, to maintain viability for the next growing season.