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Best Dahlias For Containers and Low Borders

Dahlias for containers, Dahlias for pots, Dahlias Karma, Dahlias Happy Single, Dahlia Park Princess, Dahlia Melody Harmony, Karma Dahlias, Happy single Dahlias, Dahlia Sunshine

For containers and low borders, the best choices are the shorter dahlias with more compact shapes. Keep well watered and place in full sun. You can count on these powerhouses to produce abundant blooms from summer through fall – with some producing up to 40 flowers per plant!

Dahlias are renowned for their showy, beautiful blooms and wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They make excellent additions to containers and low borders, with smaller varieties that provide a stunning display without becoming too large or unruly.

For containers, consider ‘Gallery’ dahlias. These are compact varieties, growing 1-2 feet tall (30-60 cm), bred specifically for pot culture. They bloom prolifically from mid-summer to frost, and their vibrant colors (like the pink ‘Gallery Pablo’ or the deep red ‘Gallery Art Deco’) can liven up any patio or balcony.

‘Gallery’ dahlias thrive in containers with well-drained soil and ample sunlight. These plants need regular watering as pots dry out faster than garden soil, but avoid waterlogged soil as this can cause the tubers to rot. Feed dahlias with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time and again in mid-summer to ensure a healthy display.

For low borders, consider ‘Melody’ or ‘Happy Single’ series dahlias. Ranging from 1-2 feet in height, they won’t overshadow your other plants and offer a variety of stunning colors. The ‘Happy Single’ series features single-flower forms, while ‘Melody’ dahlias have decorative, double blooms.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Dahlia
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers

Best Dahlias For Containers and Low Borders

Dahlia ‘Ellen Huston’ (aka Dahlia ‘Ellen Houston’)
Dahlia ‘G.F. Hemerik’
Dahlia ‘Happy Single First Love’
Dahlia ‘Happy Single Party’
Dahlia ‘Happy Single Romeo’
Dahlia ‘Happy Single Wink’
Dahlia ‘Impression Fabula’
Dahlia ‘Impression Fantastico’
Dahlia ‘Impression Festivo’
Dahlia ‘Impression Fuego’
Dahlia ‘Park Princess’
Dahlia ‘Scura’
Dahlia ‘Star’s Favorite’
Dahlia ‘Sunshine’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Pablo’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Monet’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Bellini’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Rembrandt’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Serenade’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Leonardo’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Nouveau’
Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’
Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’
Dahlia ‘Pink Giraffe’
Dahlia ‘Melody Mambo’
Dahlia ‘Melody Pink Allegro’

Container Growing Tips

  • Dahlias prefer a sunny location. Place your container where your dahlias will receive morning sun and afternoon shade for best results.
  • Dahlias require large containers filled with enough potting compost for proper growth. Container size should be no smaller than 12” x 12” per tuber (30 x 30 cm).
  • Use quality soil to grow healthy dahlias. Mix 1 part potting soil and 2 parts garden soil and fill the container approximately half way.
  • Lay the dahlia tuber horizontally in the container and add 4-6 in. of potting soil above the tuber. Pat it down firmly.
  • Water the newly planted dahlia tubers. These plants will also require sufficient quantities of water during cultivation, whether this is in a container or in the garden. This is important for their development as well as for the initiation of flower buds. A soil that retains moisture is definitely an advantage.
  • When watering with a watering can, adding a little liquid fertilizer can’t hurt. The plants will then produce even more flowers.
  • Pinch off the top of the center stem down to the first pair of leaves when the dahlia plant has 3 pairs of leaves to encourage the plant to become bushier.
  • Pinch off the bottom 2 pairs of leaves when your dahlia plant is 2 feet tall to promote good air circulation and prevent mildew.

Discover These Helpful Guides for Further Reading

Great Ornamental Grasses to Grow with Your Favorite Dahlias
Dahlias with Dark Foliage
Dahlia: Plant Care and Growing Guide
Pompon and Ball Dahlias
Waterlily Dahlias
Decorative Dahlias

Garden Examples

A Beautiful Fall Border Idea with Dahlias, Verbena and Grasses
A Hot Summer Border Idea with Dahlia, Crocosmia and Aster
A Hot Summer Border Idea with Dahlias, Helenium and Easy Perennials
A Late Summer Border Idea with Dahlias, Helenium and Persicaria
A Brilliant Summer Border Idea with Crocosmia, Dahlia and Canna Lilies
Vibrant Summer Border: Dahlia, Zinnia, Chinese Aster
Compare All Dahlia
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dahlia
Guides with
Dahlia
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Dahlia
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers
Compare All Dahlia
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dahlia
Guides with
Dahlia

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