Sweet Suzanne dahlia is a popular choice for gardens, known for its beauty and ability to enhance any space. This dahlia stands out with its unique color palette and consistent bloom production, making it suitable for both landscape design and cut flower arrangements.
Understanding Sweet Suzanne Dahlias
‘Sweet Suzanne’ dahlia has a ball or pompon flower form, with rounded, fully double blooms and partly incurved petals. Flowers measure 3.5 to 5 inches (9-10 cm) in diameter, displaying a blend of warm peach, soft yellow, apricot, and cream tones, sometimes with a subtle green or lemon-yellow center. This dahlia reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet (90-120 cm), suitable for mid-border plantings or large patio containers. It blooms continuously from mid-summer until the first hard frost.
Planting Sweet Suzanne Dahlias
An appropriate planting site is important for successful growth of ‘Sweet Suzanne’ dahlias. They thrive in locations with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily; afternoon shade can be helpful in hotter climates. Well-drained soil is also important to prevent tuber rot; amending it with compost or well-rotted manure improves soil structure and fertility. ‘Sweet Suzanne’ dahlias prefer a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.0.
Plant ‘Sweet Suzanne’ dahlia tubers after the last spring frost, once soil temperature reaches around 60°F (15°C). Dig a 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) deep hole, wide enough to accommodate the tuber. Position the tuber horizontally with any visible “eyes” or sprouts facing upwards. Cover the tuber with 2-3 inches of soil, avoiding immediate heavy watering to prevent rot unless the soil is very dry. Space individual tubers 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth.
Ongoing Care for Sweet Suzanne Dahlias
Consistent watering is important for ‘Sweet Suzanne’ dahlias during their growing season. After initial planting, water sparingly until sprouts emerge, then provide deep watering once or twice a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Deep watering encourages a strong root system. Dahlias benefit from regular feeding; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth over blooms. A balanced organic fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content, such as a 5-10-10 ratio, applied every 3-4 weeks until September, is effective.
As ‘Sweet Suzanne’ dahlias mature and reach their height of 3 to 4 feet, staking or other support systems become necessary. T-posts, garden stakes, or a corral system with twine help prevent stems from breaking in strong winds or heavy rain. Regularly removing spent blooms (deadheading) encourages the plant to produce more flowers rather than expending energy on seed production. Pinching the main stem when the plant is about 12 inches tall also promotes branching and more blooms.
Winterizing Sweet Suzanne Dahlias
In colder climates (USDA Zones 7 and below), ‘Sweet Suzanne’ dahlia tubers are not hardy and must be lifted from the ground before the first hard frost. After the foliage has been blackened by frost, cut the stalks back to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) above the ground. Carefully dig up the tuber clumps, taking care not to damage the necks that connect the tubers to the crown. Once lifted, rinse off excess soil from the tubers and allow them to air dry in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for 24 hours. This drying process helps prevent rot during storage.
Store the dried tubers in a cool, dark, frost-free location at temperatures between 40-50°F (4-10°C). They can be stored in materials such as peat moss, vermiculite, or dry sand in breathable containers like crates or paper bags. In spring, after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures rise, replant the tubers for another season of blooms.