Dahlia ‘David Howard’

Dahlia ‘David Howard’ is a remarkable and vibrant variety, offering a compelling mix of striking orange blooms and dark, contrasting foliage. Its adaptability, ease of growth, and stunning appearance make it a highly desirable choice for gardeners and floral designers alike. Whether used to enliven a garden space, as a standout in floral arrangements, or as part of a competitive display, ‘David Howard’ continues to be celebrated for its beauty and horticultural appeal.

Dahlia ‘David Howard’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘David Howard’ is a striking variety classified under the decorative dahlia category. It is celebrated for its unique combination of warm orange blooms and contrasting dark foliage. Decorative Dahlias are known for their fully double flowers with no central disc visible and a regular arrangement of flat or slightly rolled petals.

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 inches in height (90 cm) and spreads around 18-24 inches (30-60 cm), depending on growing conditions.

Flowers: ‘David Howard’ flowers are noteworthy for their rich, orange hue, exuding a warm and inviting atmosphere. The blooms are medium in size, generally measuring about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. The petals have a subtle, velvety texture and are arranged in a regular, symmetrical pattern, a hallmark of the Decorative Dahlia group.

Bloom Time: Blooming from mid-summer until the first frost it provides long-lasting color in the garden.

Foliage: The foliage is as distinctive as its flowers. The leaves are a deep, rich bronze or dark green, providing a striking contrast to the bright orange flowers. This dark foliage adds an extra layer of visual interest to the plant, enhancing its overall appeal.

Uses: ‘David Howard’ is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Its stunning blooms make it a favorite for cutting gardens and floral arrangements. In landscaping, it serves as an excellent focal point in borders, or it can be used to create a colorful impact in mixed beds. The plant’s size and the striking contrast between its flowers and foliage also make it suitable for container planting.

Awards: Winner of multiple awards, including the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

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.

Dahlia Growing Tips

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.