Dahlias Info

General Info

The dahlia is named after Swedish 18th-century botanist Anders Dahl, and is the official flower of Seattle, WA. Dahlias are considered one of the most spectacular garden flowers. There is a great variety of form in dahlias, from the showy dinner-plate size to the bright, little single ones. Dahlias are natives of the mountainous regions of Mexico and, although they grow in a warm country, they are actually temperate plants requiring cooler conditions. There are 30 species and 20,000 cultivars of Dahlias.

Care and Handling

• Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems in air or under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. A hydration pretreatment may also be beneficial as a way to help rid the stems of microbes, which in turn may help to extend their vaselife in flower food.
• The use of floral foam does not decrease vase life.
• (Optional) If you are leaving your flowers for days at a time, you can opt to refrigerate your dahlias, just like professional florists.

Average Lifespan

• The average vase life of dahlias lasts anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks.
• It never hurts to ask. When you place your order with your florist, try asking them for flowers that have arrived most recently to ensure you are receiving the freshest buds.

Seasonal Availability

• Most varieties are available from summer through fall to year-round.