Dahlias are certainly popular plants that many people have fallen in love with. You might have planted some in your yard recently because of how pretty they are.
Many choose to plant dahlias to add a bit of color to their gardens. These plants look very nice, and they shouldn’t be overly hard to care for.
If you want to take care of the plants the best that you can, then you will benefit from learning about them. For example, it’s going to be important to understand the light requirements of dahlias.
Do dahlias need full sun or are they going to thrive in partial shade? Keep reading to learn more about caring for dahlias so that you can keep them looking amazing in your yard for as long as possible.
Dahlias Prefer Full Sun
If you want your dahlias to produce the most vibrant blooms possible, then it’s recommended to place them in full sun. Typically, it’s recommended to give dahlias six to eight hours of full sun each day.
Find a good spot in your yard where the dahlias will be able to get full sun. You might need to prune some trees to make this happen depending on where your garden area is located.
It is possible to give the dahlias too much sun, though. Note that it was recommended to give the dahlias between six and eight hours of sun.
If the dahlias get a full twelve hours of sunlight each day, then they might have issues. For example, the dahlias might start looking stressed if they’re getting more sun than necessary.
It’s also notable that these plants grow to be pretty big. They can grow to be around five feet tall.
Wind can be a major problem for dahlias because of their size. To prevent the dahlias from being damaged by wind, people often stake the plants firmly to the ground.
Another option that might work out even better is to plant the dahlias near a structure or some type of tree. This will provide protection from the wind while also shading the plant for part of the day.
In the end, the plant will wind up getting the sun that it needs without going overboard. Of course, you might have to test different positions out to see if the sunlight hours are just right.
It might be beneficial to observe different spots and see how many sunlight hours each spot will get. Then you can plant the dahlias in an appropriate location that will work out nicely.
Dahlias Prefer Morning Sunlight
To get the best results, you’ll want to try to give the dahlia plants most of the sunlight exposure during the morning hours. In the morning, these plants are better ready to photosynthesize.
Also, the temperatures won’t be quite so harsh as they can be during the middle of the afternoon. Heat stress is something that can wreak havoc on your plants, but you can make things easier by putting the plants in a morning sunlight location.
If the majority of the six to eight hours of sunlight comes from the morning sun, then your plants will be in good shape. Do your best to make this happen.
Those who are able to put the dahlias in a morning sunlight location can expect the plants to blossom sometime in July. When you expose your plant to more afternoon sunlight, dahlias won’t bloom until sometime in August.
This is quite a difference, and you can see why utilizing morning sunlight will be beneficial. It’s also worth mentioning that intense sunlight can do a lot of harm to the plants.
When sunlight is too intense, it can cause the dahlias to wilt. In certain cases, it might even make the plants fail to flower normally.
Avoid this situation and give the dahlias morning sun. Ensure that the dahlias are shaded during the hottest parts of the day and all will be well.
Keeping the Soil Moist
Keeping the soil moist can prove to be difficult sometimes. Since dahlias like full sun, the moisture is going to evaporate from the soil faster than you might think.
A dry environment is not going to be good for the dahlias at all. In fact, if things get too try, the plants might start to wilt even when positioned in full sunlight.
Dry conditions can stunt the growth of the plant and cause issues with flowering. It makes sense to pay close attention to watering the plants to keep them from drying out too much.
Once the dahlias are established, it’ll be best to water them three times per week. This helps you to keep the soil damp.
Organic mulch will be very useful for moisture retention purposes. Consider laying down a four-inch layer of organic mulch to help the plants thrive.
Artificial Shading Options
Artificial shading options exist if you can’t put the dahlias near your home or a tree in the yard. You can still plant the dahlias in the garden even if it will give them too many hours of sunlight.
The trick to getting this to work is to go out and provide the dahlias with artificial shade. Something as simple as an umbrella will do if you’re in a pinch.
However, many people prefer to use shade cloths to get the job done. You just need to put these cloths up to protect the plants from the sun during the afternoon.
Allow the plants to get the six to eight hours of full sun that they need during the morning and early afternoon hours. When the time is right, you’ll want to step out and provide the artificial shade that the plants need to avoid heat stress.
It’s a reliable, easy way to solve the problem of giving dahlias too much sun. Shade cloths are relatively inexpensive and they’re also readily available.
Enjoy Your Dahlias
Enjoying your dahlias will be easy when you understand the care requirements. These plants really aren’t too tough to care for overall, but they do require a certain number of hours of full sunlight each day.
Give the dahlias six to eight hours of full sun each day and they should do very well. It’s best to give them as much morning sunlight as you can since it will be less harsh.
You’ll have an easier time avoiding issues such as heat stress if you do this. Try to find a location for the dahlias where they can get at least six hours of morning sun while remaining shaded during the hottest parts of the afternoon.
If you can’t find a spot where this is possible, then planting them in an open garden area will be fine. You’ll just need to provide artificial shade to protect the plants during certain times of the day.
Also, you’ll need to keep an eye on the condition of the soil. Full sunlight can dry out soil pretty fast, but dahlias need the soil to remain moist.
It might be best to utilize organic mulch to help retain moisture. A four-inch-thick organic mulch layer will work wonders.
You’ve learned all that you need to know about caring for dahlias to find success. These plants are gorgeous and will add a lot to the aesthetic appeal of your property.
Just be sure to protect the plants so that they won’t wilt due to excessive sunlight. If you’re trying your best, then it’s likely that things will go great.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.