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Why Gardeners love Dahlias: Dahlias are one of the most rewarding summer flowers of all. They're really easy to grow with spectacular results. If you know them, you know all about it. If you don't, here is the information you need. Prepare to become 'hooked.' First of all, Dahlias are great for cutting, as you can see in the large top photo of an arrangement showing a lavish deep red dahlia right next to a large, voluptuous rose. Dahlias are native to Mexico, but there's about as much resemblance between the original and the Dutch hybrids as there is between an old toy car and a brand new Mercedes. Dahlias for today's gardeners offer a really big gardening treat. The 'bulbs' are actually tubers, and look a lot like peony roots--sort of like a bunch of carrots. The plants grow quickly and some grow quite tall, always with lush deep green foliage.
Types of Dahlias: These plants have been hybridized into various heights from short bedding plants to tall bushy ones. But they are officially categorized by flower type or shape. The term, 'Dinnerplate Dahlia' is probably the most famous description, and though all gardeners use the term, it is not an official classification. 'Dinnerplates' are, simply put, the large plants with the huge flowers. The always-double flowers are up to 8', sometimes a whopping 10' across, so the name makes sense. Here are the official classifications:
'Decorative Dahlias' This group includes the Dinnerplates and also other taller (to 4 ft.) plants with double, chrysanthemum-like flowers. The famous 'Shogun Dahlias' are as tall as Decoratives, but have very heavy bloom of smaller bi-colored flowers for gardeners who want a large bushy plant covered with color.
Growing Dahlias: All the gardener needs to do is plant the tubers after spring frosts in good garden soil with full sun. It's best to position them against a wall or be ready to stake them, since they are brittle, and must be protected from high winds. (If you've grown perennial Delphiniums, the plant size and growth is similar, but success with Dahlias is much easier.) Keep them free of bugs, well-watered, and well-fertilized as they grow, and your dahlias will begin to set buds by midsummer and be in full bloom, usually during July or August. Then the huge flowers keep coming until frost. When frost threatens, just pull the roots up, cut off the stems, and store the tubers until the following spring. Each fall, you'll be amazed how the 'bulbs' have multiplied during the summer, giving you more and more to divide and enjoy the next year.
One expert has said, 'Never have so many gardeners received so much for so little work, as when they grow dahlias.''
SKU | 39DAHL3 |
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Common Name | Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia |
Botanical Name | Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia Blue Boy |
Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
Ships As | Bulb, Rhizome, Tuber |
Light Requirements | Full Sun |
Flower Color | Blue |
Foliage Color | Green |
Foliage | Serrated oval-shaped green foliage. |
Mature Height | 36-40" tall |
Bulb Spacing | 1 bulb/tuber per sq. ft. |
Planting Depth | Bulbs/Tubers should be planted 1-2" below the soil line. |
Bloom Time | Mid summer until frost |
Plant Type / Life Cycle | Annual |
Flower Size | 6-8" flowers |
Planting Time | Spring / Summer |
Soil Type | Sandy Soil, Loamy Soil, Acidic Soil |
Soil Moisture | Average, Well Draining |
Advantages | Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Easy to Grow, Cut Flowers, Containers |
Additional Information | Perennial in zones 8-10. Can be grown as annuals in zones 2-7. |
Poisonous or Toxic to Animals | Tubers and leaves are toxic if eaten in large amounts. |
Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada | No |
Shipping begins in late March based on ground temperatures, warmest zones first.
As soon as your order is placed you will receive an order confirmation email that will include your shipping information. We ship perennials and spring-planted bulbs at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennials and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you need express shipping or have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (877) 309-7333 or contact us by email.
You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Your order is scheduled to arrive at your door, fresh and ready to plant, usually within 3-5 days of leaving our warehouse, depending on your shipping address. We pack our plants to withstand up to 10 days in transit, in the event transit is delayed. We cannot guarantee arrival on a specific day. Please make sure to open your package upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Most Liked Positive Review
FANTASTIC!
This flower is gorgeous! It has long stems and my latest flowers have been 7.5" in diameter. This is the second year for this one. I thought the bulb looked to...Read complete review
This flower is gorgeous! It has long stems and my latest flowers have been 7.5" in diameter. This is the second year for this one. I thought the bulb looked to be in poor condition when I unpacked it in the spring, but I planted it any way. What a beautiful reward I received. It should have been named "Lavender Boy" because it certainly is not blue.
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Most Liked Negative Review
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this plant never even sprouted, it was planted same time as other dahlia's that grew but this one didn't. it's a shame was looking forward to seeing in full bloom
this plant never even sprouted, it was planted same time as other dahlia's that grew but this one didn't. it's a shame was looking forward to seeing in full bloom
Reviewed by 10 customers
Displaying reviews 1-10
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Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
These were planted where some other dahlias didn't come up. They were replacements. They are just gorgeous. Very happy with them. They are a vibrant lilac-light purple type of compact petal dahlia. Really pretty as a cut flower on our table.
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Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
The color of this dahlia says "blue boy" but all I got was a white and pink striped dahlia that grew blooms 4 inches is size. Beyond dissapointed in this company.
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Best Uses
Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
I gave this a high rating because the plant quality was so superior. In my garden the color was very deep, rich, magenta; with wonderful color fast quality. Since I already had a plant with a similar color now I have to throw that plant away and order more. This is definitely a keeper.
Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
One of my favorites. Not exactly blue, more of a lavendar. but definitely closer to the blue side of the color spectrum. I grow in containers and it has many, many blooms and works well in a bouquet.
Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
This flower is gorgeous! It has long stems and my latest flowers have been 7.5" in diameter. This is the second year for this one. I thought the bulb looked to be in poor condition when I unpacked it in the spring, but I planted it any way. What a beautiful reward I received. It should have been named "Lavender Boy" because it certainly is not blue.
Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
Flower is a great grower. The plant got much larger than than i had expected. It has a very long bloom time and great color.
Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
Flowers large & darker than expected but still very pretty however out of 6 bulbs only 2 bloomed-disappointing & therefore cant recommend
Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
My Dahlia purchase grew about one foot and then died. The white Dahlias I purchased are excellent and are huge.
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Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
this plant never even sprouted, it was planted same time as other dahlia's that grew but this one didn't. it's a shame was looking forward to seeing in full bloom
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about American Meadows Blue Boy Semi Dinner Plate Dahlia:
The color of the flowers is much deeper purple than was on the picture. Other than that it's a pretty dahlia.
Displaying reviews 1-10
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
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Merchant response: We sincerely apologize that our Semi-Dinnerplate Dahlia Blue Boy did not meet your expectations. There are many variables in gardening but we are committed to your success and stand behind all our products with our 100% guarantee. Please contact us so that we may assist you with a solution. Happy Gardening!