Dalia Decision Time

Published on by Catherine

There’s been a lengthy debate taking place in my head for months about whether I should give dahlias a second chance. My 2023 dahlias were horribly disappointing. That failure could have been due to many factors, and I’m not sure it’s worth trying to analyse what went wrong. It happened, it’s over.

Before deciding to abandon them, I thought I’d look back over the past few years at dahlias that were more successful than recent efforts.

I started digging through my Dahlia photos to see if they could make me fall in love with them again and convince me to give them another chance. Here are a few from past years. I might have shared some of the photographs here before but others might be new to you.

Dahlia ‘Sam Hopkins’
Dahlia ‘Art Deco’
Dahlia ‘Rosamunde’
Dahlia ‘Mr. Frans’
Dahlia ‘Art Nouveau’
Dahlia ‘Bargaly Blush’

A new year is here, and with it, new thoughts, new hopes. My decision in 2023 has been overturned and I’ve ordered this year’s dahlias, expected to arrive in March. Now, it’s all about waiting to see if they’ll bloom beautifully this summer and hopefully, well into autumn!

But what about you? Did you have any garden failures last year that left you wondering if it was worth trying again?

Catherine 😊

28 thoughts on “Dalia Decision Time”

  1. Some Dahlias were failures for me and I had to resign myself to renewing them as you are going to do. High hopes had been for the variety ‘Blue Bayou’ which I really liked, but unfortunately I only had 1 or 2 flowers. On the other hand, surprised by other very prolific varieties like Spartacus, Sylvia, or Franz Kafka

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    1. It’s disappointing, isn’t it, when plants appear to let you down. My sister has/had ‘Blue Bayou’ and it’s a beauty. If you still have your tuber, perhaps it will do better this year. I’ve discarded some Dahlia tubers, but a few others are in crates being overwintered.

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  2. My dahlias were disappointing last year too. I had left many of them in their sprouting pots which I thought might have been the problem. The year before I planted most of them in the ground and performance was better. But I also must consider the age of some of them as a factor.

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  4. A lovely selection that would certainly tempt me for a moment (particularly Sam Hopkins). My Dahlias were rather rubbish last year and previous years have been rather hit and miss. They tend to get polished off by the slimy plant assassins of the night if I plant them in the ground (and they didn’t overwinter in the ground here). I’ve still got some in pots (I keep them in their old compost over the winter, sheltered under the covered swing seat) but I’ve decided not to buy any more – they just seem too high maintenance. Zinnias (which I’ve grown for several years) were a complete disaster last summer – only one made it to flowerhood.

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    1. Mine get eaten even in fairly large pots, and it’s not just earwigs doing damage – those pesky snails are fairly efficient climbers. 🐌 I’ve stored some tubers from last year but am trying a different method after reading a grower’s blog. The tubers were removed from their pots, but not cleaned off. I put them into open plastic crates bought from Argos and put the crates onto shelves in the garage. I’m now hoping for the best. 😁

      Sorry to hear that you’ve given up on Dahlias and Zinnias. I still think last year’s weather might have had much to do with all these failures. Chances are you just might spot a fantastic new variety you feel you can’t do without!

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  5. The thing about dahlias and roses is that they are such wonderful flowers to photograph, but I do not have much success in growing either of them here. Too wet and too many S&S and earwigs. I have some miniature dahlias that I have had some success with (I keep them on the patio table away from the assassins) but I won’t buy the larger ones again. You do have some beautiful photos of both dahlias and roses.

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    1. Some of the smaller dahlia varieties are lovely. I’d like to see more named varieties arriving in garden centres. S&S and earwigs are a major problem, so is rainfall and it’s such a pity you’ve had to give up on dahlias, but do you still grow roses? I’d hate to be without them!

      If my dahlias don’t succeed this year, I think I’ll be looking for an alternative, but hope I don’t have to!

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  6. Oh you have grown some beauties in the past Catherine so will keep my fingers crossed for you that 2024 proves to be more successful as far as dahlias are concerned. I think that a lot of folk had difficulties with them last year – could be all that rain! I’ve left some in the ground and have ordered a few tubers too, probably too many 😂 Do you grow any perennial chrysanthemums?

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    1. Thank you, Anna. I hope you have success with yours – you must let me know how they fair. I’m sorely tempted by perennial chrysanthemums as there are so many gorgeous varieties. I’d find it hard to get them through the winter – but maybe I’ll talk myself into trying them this year. I’ve spotted a couple that I like, available as rooted cuttings and that might be a good way to start. I need a push to do it!

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    1. They do need time and attention to get them going, and a watchful eye to keep slugs and snails at bay, but if you have the time to do it, it can be worth it…except in 2023! 🙄 It sounds like last year was a pretty successful gardening year for you, Helen. I hope this year is just as good!

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  8. Replying from coastal California USA so apples and oranges of course, so to speak, but my dahlias and zinnias were my big success this year. Disastrous results with tomatoes, beans and snap peas, which were amazing in 2022. Yes, I have a black thumb but I think weather – so much rain and fog and then whiteflies and hornworms etc – played a part.

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    1. Hello, Polloplayer from California! Sorry to hear about your tomatoes, beans & snap peas – but you must have enjoyed your Dahlias and Zinnias! I feel a tiny bit envious, 😊 Yes, we have rain, fog and whiteflies too (though I always think of California as being wall-to-wall sunshine all year). Thankfully I haven’t spotted any hornworms, which I think are called Hawkmoths here – they sound like something I’d rather not cross paths with.

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  9. I’m also one who enjoys other people’s dahlias as we no longer have a garden. I like dahlias, and, they do put on a good show when the weather plays ball. They don’t enjoy wet feet is what I found out. Plus, it’s an easy plant to share with other gardeners. Lovely images and what a display.

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. The weather in this country doesn’t often play ball, and there are times when it makes gardening difficult. It’s nice to hear that you’re able to enjoy other people’s gardens and plants – I feel they’re essential for health & wellbeing.

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      1. I think just being in nature is good for our general health. We do grow vegies in a vegepod and other pots with a few flowers. I would never not have plants whether that be outside on our balcony or houseplants as now I grow plenty of both. Keeps my green fingers happy 🙂

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  10. I seem to love Dahlias more and more every year. I don’t really have enough sun for them, but I’ve managed to get some blooms and healthy growth from them. I think I’ll try some new ones this year, and your post is very helpful in making some choices. Good luck and thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Beth. We have limited sun here, (I’m just reaching for my vitamin D pill!) a very short growing season, and in the last few years, our seasons have been rather confused. I just keep hoping that we’ll get enough sun in spring & summer to help the plants give a good performance. I wish you success with your Dahlia choices for this coming summer!

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  11. Oh, your photos of them are beautiful Catherine! I have never had much success with dahlias, but am going to give them a try this year. I must put in my order soon too. The mails I keep getting from Farmer Gracy have tempted me to make an effort and I have narrowed down my choice to just a handful now…. well, six actually! I wonder which ones you have ordered. Hopefully you will be able to give me some tips for growing them too! 😉

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    1. I wish I was sufficiently skilled in growing dahlias to offer tips, but I’m definitely not, Cathy. Last year’s results testify to that. 😆 But I’m sending you the list of dahlias ordered this year and there’s a few more overwintering in the garage. I’m not sure if any of those will grow this year, I’m proceeding with my fingers crossed!
      My order is also with Farmer Gracy – their photos are too tempting.

      Café de Paris
      French Cancan
      Labyrinth Two Tone
      Crème de Cognac
      Liquid Desire
      Café au Lait Supreme
      Black Jack
      Labyrinth
      Bluetiful
      Café au Lait Rosé
      (You might notice a little bit of a French theme cropping up in that list!)

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      1. Lovely choices Catherine! I just looked through their selection again and could be so tempted to add more to my list! I have Café au Lait Rosé on my list too, along with Bishop of York, Bishop of Oxford, Thomas A. Edison, Honka Rose and D. imperalis Alba. Let’s hope we get some lovely flowers this summer!

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