Dahlia ‘Fashion Monger’

Dahlia ‘Fashion Monger’ is a remarkable dahlia, offering a unique blend of vibrant color, distinctive form, and versatile application. Whether featured in a garden, used in floral designs, or simply enjoyed as part of a diverse plant collection, ‘Fashion Monger’ brings a sense of vitality and style to any setting. Its adaptability and stunning visual appeal make it a favorite choice for gardeners and floral enthusiasts alike, adding a touch of fashion-forward beauty wherever it grows.

Dahlia ‘Fashion Monger’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘Fashion Monger’ is a striking and unique collarette dahlia prized for its distinctive pattern and coloration. This type is characterized by a single row of flat petals surrounding a central disc, with an additional ‘collar’ of smaller petals, creating a two-tiered effect.

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 forms a well-branched plant, making it robust and suitable for various garden settings. It’s a great addition to flower beds, borders, and can also thrive in container gardens.

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: Facing skyward, the flowers of ‘Fashion Monger’ are its most captivating feature. Typically measuring about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in diameter, they feature a single layer of broad, pointed, white outer petals, dramatically tinged with purple-red from the base, surrounding an inner ring of short, narrow, and twisted creamy-white petals, all encircling a vibrant yellow central disc. This striking combination makes ‘Fashion Monger’ a standout in any garden.

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

Foliage: The foliage is a vibrant green, providing a complementary backdrop to its striking blooms. The leaves are typically compound, adding to the plant’s overall lush appearance.

Uses: ‘Dahlia ‘Fashion Monger’ is highly versatile in both landscape and floral design. Its unique and striking blooms make it ideal for creating focal points in garden beds and containers. In floral arrangements, its distinct color pattern adds a touch of elegance and visual interest. Additionally, its manageable size and vibrant appearance make it suitable for urban gardens or patios.

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: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

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.