Dahlia Season
A GUIDE TO GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BLOOMS
By Heather Williams of Twig & Twine Design
It's easy to be passionate about celebrating the ephemeral season of Dahlia's namesake bloom. With its short life span and fleeting beauty, dahlia season is not to be missed. Declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963, the dahlia has a rich cultural past that reaches back to ancient times. Historically, the Aztecs used dahlia tubers for food and created medicine from the flowers. Dahlia motifs adorned the helmets of Aztec warriors and the petals were used in ceremonies celebrating the gods.
Native to Mexico and Central America, dahlias flourish in warm temps. The perennial plant blooms in summer and early fall. The genus offers an incredible diversity of color and form that are perfect for seasonal celebrations both big and small. I have included a few tips to help create a sumptuous dahlia arrangement at home to enjoy while sipping a signature Dahlia cocktail.
BUY LOCAL
Dahlias typically live 3-5 days after being cut so buying local is best. Pick up a bunch from a local farmers market or flower grower and if buying from a retail location ask when the blooms arrived. Make sure all the petals look fresh and perky – including the back sides – and that the stems are not starting to brown.
PROCESSING
After acquiring your dahlias, promptly process and place in water. To process, remove any greenery that may be submerged in the water and cause bacteria to grow and give the stems a 1” or more cut with sharp scissors or clippers. Immediately after cutting, submerge in cool, deep water in a clean vase.
ARRANGING
Dahlias are a queen in the flower world with their billowing petals and gorgeous coloring. They are lovely as a single stem in a bud vase or found within a mixed bouquet. During peak dahlia season there is nothing more magnificent than a lush arrangement composed of all dahlia blooms. Keep it monochromatic and bold for ease of design and mix in summer foliage such as mint, eucalyptus or geranium. Let the blooms breath so each petal can show off its beauty rather than packing tight. Dahlia heads can be top heavy so if using a low vase it’s best if the vessel has a small opening and the stems are cut short. You will have more flexibility with your design and stem length if using a medium or tall vase.
LENGTHEN VASE LIFE
Dahlias love fresh water. Every day or 2 change out the vase with fresh water and give the stem ends a 1/4” snip. They can be finicky with temperature so make sure they are not in direct sunlight, near a heat source or under an AC vent.