Dahlias are divas and the center of attention in my small garden. Their size, color, and vigorous growth eclipse those properties in all other flowers growing with them. It is remarkable and makes me wonder how this happened when last year I was so unsuccessful cultivating dahlias.
Last year the dahlias I planted all died untimely deaths in the relentless Southern heat. This year’s heat hasn’t changed but my process has. Last year’s dahlias were already growing in pots and had colorful flowers and leaves when I purchased them. This year I planted bare, brown, cigar-look-alike dahlia tubers. I am also continuing to learn how to garden, with some success, on a semi tropical southern island. My learning curve includes how to nurture the growth of tender perennials like dahlias. So either of these, both of these, none of these reasons, or maybe something else, could be where my success is rooted. I can’t be sure but the lack of certainty is part of the appeal gardening holds for me.
I’ve read that in my growing zone dahlias may be treated like true perennials: left in the ground during their dormant season as long as they are covered with a layer of mulch. That seems easy enough. So, continuing on my learning curve, I’ll overwinter my dahlia tubers in the ground, bedding them down with a few additional tweaks to bolster the health of the resting plants. Then I’ll wait to see if my dahlias return refreshed and once again beautiful. Time will tell. For now, I’ll sit back, watch the floral show, and just enjoy this moment, very aware it is fleeting and will pass soon enough.
