Annual dahlias can boast a number of advantages in comparison with perennial, which makes them very popular.
If you decide to grow them, below you can find out the peculiarities of the annual dahlia and its popular varieties.
Dahlia one year old: description
Most often, dahlias have been planted in the ground for many years, but this is not always practical, since one-year-old dahlias have a number of advantages:
- The flowering of the annual dahlia varieties comes very early, and at the same time they immediately delight with very intense flowering. As for their perennial relatives, in the first year of planting they may not even give color.
- Annual dahlias bloom for a long period, which can begin in July and continue until the first autumn frosts. Perennial dahlias bloom closer to fall.
- When growing annual plants in the fall, you will only have to remove dried stalks from the flowerbed, after collecting the seeds. In the case of perennial dahlias, it will take a lot of time to dig, process and properly preserve the tubers before spring planting.
- Annual dahlias are easier to care for, less susceptible to pests and diseases, while perennials are very vulnerable.
- For growing almost all varieties of annual dahlias, all regions of Ukraine are perfect.
- what height dahlia bushes can reach - they are dwarf, short, medium tall and tall, which, when grown, require the presence of a support;
- which buds of the variety - they can be very small or large, differ in shape and, of course, color;
- for what period the blooming of the variety takes place (dwarf and undersized dahlias bloom earlier than tall ones).
Important! During the purchase of dahlias, you can meet the packaging not with specific varieties of these flowers, but with their mixes. Such seeds can be bought safely, as they are usually selected by the color combination of flowers, as well as with the same flowering period. The height of the bushes in mixes also coincides.
Caring for annual dahlias is not difficult: seeds are sown in open ground in May, the first seedlings can be thinned, and in the presence of strong plants - even planted.
If the site has been well fertilized since autumn, then it will not even be necessary to add additional dressing to the soil with flowers. The only thing you should not forget in the hot summer is regular watering of the flower beds.
Below we take a look at the most beautiful varietal dahlias that every florist can grow on his own flower bed without any special difficulties.
Dahlia "Merry guys"
If you like flowers with compact bushes that are simply hung with a large number of flowers - you should sow a mixture of dahlia varieties in your flower beds Funny boys.
These garden flowers can be stretched to a height of 60 cm, although usually the flowers are tied on the bushes with a height of 30 cm and stop their growth.
The inflorescences in this variety are simple, have a bright yellow middle. Their color is saturated. The first flowers on the bushes usually appear as early as July and remain to please the eye before the first frost.
These annual dahlias are well suited for planting near curbs, as well as for combining with other flowers in flowerbeds.
Did you know? Usually, flowers from dahlias are cut off immediately after the appearance of the first wilting, which is especially important for perennial plants. However, in the case of annuals, some flowers still need to be left in order for seeds to ripen for future crops.
Dahlia "Minion"
Georgina Mignon It is deservedly considered the best variety of these annual flowers, which are ideal for growing in flower beds, near garden paths and for borders.
But their peculiarity lies in the fact that they feel great even when sown in pots and grown on the city balcony.
The shrubs of the described dahlia variety are not high - about 40 cm. Minions - flowers are very simple, but with an elegant arrangement of petals, they have a bright color.
They bloom in the middle time, because after 16 weeks from the time of sowing, the first buds appear on the bushes.
Important! When growing annual dahlias in cold regions, their seeds are recommended to be sown in boxes in early May. But when it gets warmer and the weather becomes more favorable, flower seedlings can be planted in open ground at the end of May.
Dahlia "Figaro"
Among the flowers with dwarf bushes deserves attention Figaro Dahlia, which in its growth rarely exceeds the height of 35 cm. Terry flowers on such bushes form very large - about 7-10 cm in diameter.
They draw attention to themselves with their bright color, as well as delight with a long flowering period, which lasts from July to the first frost.
This variety is also suitable for planting on beds with other flowers, and for growing in pots on terraces and balconies. Due to the fact that we are talking about dwarf dahlias, they should be planted only in the foreground of flower beds.
Dahlia "Bambino"
This is another dwarf variety of annual dahlias, but its bushes are drawn up even less - up to only 25 cm.
Despite this, beautiful terry flowers with a diameter of 6 to 8 cm appear on such compact bushes in July. The color of the variety is bright enough.
Like the previous variety, dahlia bambino excellent for framing flowerbeds, and for single sowing in pots and growing indoors. Flowering persists until late autumn, when frost can already damage them.
Did you know? In order to maximize the flowering of dahlias, in anticipation of the first frost bushes can be covered with agrospanum, which will protect them from damage.
Georgi "Dandy"
Georgina Dandy - This is a tall variety, which is distinguished by elegant bushes extended upwards. It is used both for individual plantings for individual beds, and in the center of large flower beds with different colors.
The main difference of the Dandy variety is the presence of so-called collars on its semi-double inflorescences - petals twisted to the bottom.
Flowering on dandy dahlias appears closer to the end of July, which is customary for all tall varieties. However, if the flowers are not damaged by frost, they can be well preserved even in October.
Dahlia "Piccolo"
But Dahlia Piccolo should be attributed to medium growth, as its bushes under favorable growing conditions usually reach 50 cm in height.
Nevertheless, in spite of the compactness of the bush and the peculiarities of its bright flowering, this plant is more often sown in pots and exposed on balconies, terraces and verandas.
Important! During cultivation, annual dahlias also form tubers, which are used by many to further reproduce flowers. However, in this case, flowers grown from tubers can lose their color and decorative appeal.
Dahlia decorative
Various dahlias of tall varieties are collected in such a mixture; we have already mentioned the names of some of them. In all these varieties, during the flowering period, very tall bushes of up to 1.2 m form, on which a large number of large double flowers are formed. Planting such decorative dahlias is recommended in groups.
Flowering in this mixture begins in the second half of July, so at the end of the month you can cut lush bouquets from the bushes. On the bushes flowers can persist until frost.
As you have seen, the varieties of annual dahlias are very diverse, and from them you can create a whole flower bed. But choose varieties very carefully, because they may have different heights and types of flowers.
