Dahlia Preference
Dahlia ‘Preference’ is a magnificent and eye-catching dahlia that displays soft peachy-pink blossoms, delicately paling to cream towards the tips of their elongated petals. When the light hits the blooms, they shimmer, and it is bedazzling to behold.
Dahlia 'Preference' is a magnificent and eye-catching dahlia that displays soft peachy-pink blossoms, delicately paling to cream towards the tips of their elongated petals. When the light hits the blooms, they shimmer, and it is bedazzling to behold. The flowers of this Semi-Cactus Dahlia are quite spectacular, about 4-6 inches across (10-15 cm), and absolutely irresistible. They are not top-heavy and stand up nice and straight, even when it rains. Blooming massively from July until frost, this dahlia grows up to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and is an excellent choice to create a long-lasting garden display. Fabulous cut flowers too!
- Best flowering occurs in full sun, but light shade will be welcomed in hot summer areas.
- Provide consistent moisture during the growing season and do not allow soils to dry out. Plant in a sheltered location to protect your dahlias from strong winds.
- Best in groups of 5 for best visual effect. Deadhead spent flowers to promote the growth of additional flower buds.
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
- If you live in a cool area (hardiness zones 3-7) and you want to save your dahlia bulbs, or more precisely, your dahlia tubers for next spring, you may dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next spring. Store them in boxes, covered with moistened sand in a cool, dark, frost-free place where the temperature remains between 45-50 °F (7-10°C).
- This Dahlia is a member of the Cactus Dahlias which have the most exceptional blooms. The Dahlia flowers have beautiful ‘spiny’ petals that are rolled up more than two-thirds of their length. Sometimes, the petals are straight from the base to the tip, but they can also curve inward or outward. The petals are often narrow and pointed, and some have deeply incised tips. These are the ones known as spider dahlias, and they make real eye-catchers!
Requirements
Hardiness | 8 – 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1 – 12 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Dahlia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid,Late)Fall |
Height | 4' – 5' (120cm – 150cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18″ – 24″ (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage |