Bodacious Dahlia, Decorative Dahlia, Dinnerplate Dahlia
Dahlia ‘Bodacious’ is a magnificent variety, embodying the grandeur and beauty that dinnerplate dahlias are celebrated for. Its enormous, vibrant red and brilliant yellow blooms combined with a sturdy growth habit and versatility in use, make it a prized choice for both amateur and professional gardeners. Whether illuminating a garden bed, gracing a large container, or starring in a floral display, ‘Bodacious’ is a true horticultural treasure, admired for its size, color, and presence. This dahlia is featured in our top 40 must-see dahlia flowers.
Dahlia ‘Bodacious’ is a remarkable dinnerplate dahlia prized for its large and impressive vibrant red flowers with yellow tips.
Native: Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America. This cultivar results from extensive breeding and does not occur naturally in the wild.
Plant Type and Habit: This dahlia is a tuberous-rooted perennial with a bushy, upright growth habit. This variety is known for its robustness and vigorous growth, producing strong, upright stems ideal for cutting.
Size: It generally reaches about 36-48 inches in height (90-120 cm) and spreads around 18-24 inches (30-60 cm), depending on growing conditions.
Flowers: The flowers of ‘Bodacious’ are its main attraction, displaying a vibrant red color with a contrasting yellow tips. They are extraordinarily large, often measuring 9 inches (26 cm) in diameter. The petals are broad and slightly curved, arranged in a full, rounded form, contributing to the bloom’s luxurious and eye-catching appearance.
Bloom Time: Blooming from mid-summer until the first frost it provides long-lasting color in the garden.
Foliage: The foliage is typical of dahlias, with dark green leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the bright flowers.
Uses: ‘Bodacious’ is incredibly versatile in landscaping and floral design. Its grand size and striking color make it a popular choice for creating dramatic focal points in gardens and as a standout centerpiece in large containers. In floral arrangements, its large, bright blooms add a touch of elegance and are often used as a statement piece.
Hardiness: Dahlias are hardy in USDA zones 8-11. In colder zones, tubers need to be lifted and stored over winter.
Toxicity: Dahlias are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Their ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal upset and other health issues in pets and livestock.
Wildlife: While visually stunning, the complex petal structure of this dahlia makes it more difficult for pollinators to access the nectar and pollen. It is less effective in attracting pollinators than single-flowered or open-centered dahlia types.
Deer and Rabbit: Dahlias are somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits but may still be vulnerable to browsing.
Invasiveness: Not invasive; dahlias grow from tubers and do not spread aggressively.
Light: Dahlias love the sun, so choose a location with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Soil: Dahlias prefer well-drained, loamy soil. They don’t tolerate water-logged conditions, so if your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with compost or peat moss to improve drainage.
Planting Time: Dahlias are usually planted in the spring after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
Planting Depth: Dahlia tubers should be planted about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) deep, with the “eye” (the small bump from where the stem will grow) facing upward.
Watering: Dahlias like consistent moisture. Water them deeply a couple of times a week, more often if your area is experiencing a drought. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Fertilizing: Dahlias respond well to low-nitrogen fertilizers, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-20. Too much nitrogen can lead to lush, leafy growth and fewer flowers.
Deadheading: Regularly removing the spent flowers (deadheading) will keep your dahlias producing more blooms.
Overwintering: In colder climates (zones 7 and below), you’ll need to dig up and store the tubers indoors over the winter.
Pests and Diseases: Dahlias are generally relatively disease and pest-resistant, but there are a few common issues to watch out such as aphids, botrytis blight, earwigs, powdery mildew, slugs and snails, spider mites, and thrips.
Hardiness |
8 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 11 |
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 | Compositae |
Genus | Dahlia |
Common names | Dahlia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, City and Courtyard |
Hardiness |
8 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 11 |
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 | Compositae |
Genus | Dahlia |
Common names | Dahlia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, City and Courtyard |
How many Dahlia ‘Bodacious’ do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
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Dahlia ‘Bodacious’ | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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