Dinnerplate Dahlias

Just got a notice f/Breck's on some varieties that "stand the test" in TX. Anyone successfully growing dahlias in the N. Tx area?

Thanks! MKJ

I found some information you might find helpful. Before you order from Breck's, look them up in Garden Watchdog. They don't get a good rating.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/county/smith/tips/flowers/dahlia1.html

yes you can grow them successfully. I'm in Arlington so zone 8a. They came back for me, but the plants were really too big in my garden. I had them in part shade.

Typically they appear in the nurseries and big box stores in the spring. I wouldn't order any now. Definitely check GWD before succumbing to a coupon. (BTW they have inexpensive ones in the big box stores in jan or Feb.)

give em a whirl but have good plant stakes they are tall and the flowers heavy....but maybe I did something wrong

cynthia

Wow, great advice, Cynthia! Thanks......I do recall seeing them at the box stores--better to try a few inexpensive ones than, like you said, succumb to the tempting coupons. ;-) And, I'm awful about doing that........a pretty picture, some well-placed encouraging words......ugh! lol

Thanks again.

I planted a bunch of them about three springs ago, and they've come back each year - however, our hot sun in summer is very hard on them and they tend to look ragged. They will flower in spring and then struggle throughout summer, but often bound back in fall for a nice show. Keep them deadheaded for best results. I have found that "Kelvin Floodlight" is a strong variety among the dinnerplates that does well for me and produces tons of flowers.

We live on the edge of East Texas and my Mom grows the dinnerplate dahlias every year. They are beautiful! Huge blooms! They do require a whole lot of water as we get into the hot summer months. Her plants have grown so tall they need staking but the blooms are gorgeous! They come back every year.