Dahlia ‘Lilac Time’

Dahlia ‘Lilac Time’ is an exceptional dahlia offering a delightful combination of soft color, luxurious form, and vigorous growth. Its adaptability and stunning appearance make it a highly sought-after choice for gardeners and floral designers. Whether used to enhance the beauty of a garden, as a standout in floral arrangements, or as part of a competitive display, ‘Lilac Time’ continues to impress with its serene beauty and horticultural charm.

Dahlia ‘Lilac Time’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘Lilac Time’ is an exquisite variety within the decorative dahlia group, known for its large, elegant blooms. It stands out for its soft lilac color, offering a serene and gentle presence in any garden. Decorative dahlias are characterized by their fully double flowers, with broad, evenly arranged 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 valued for its robustness and prolific blooming, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking reliability and beauty.

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 blooms of ‘Lilac Time’ are captivating, with a diameter of about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). The petals are a soft lilac shade, arranged in a full, rounded form that exudes elegance. The delicate color and luxurious size of the blooms make them a standout feature in any setting.

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

Foliage: The foliage is a lush green, providing a fresh and vibrant backdrop for its colorful blooms. The leaves are compound and arranged symmetrically along the stems, contributing to the plant’s overall healthy and full appearance.

Uses: ‘Lilac Time’ is highly versatile, making it a superb choice for cutting gardens and stunning in floral arrangements. Its elegant blooms and robust growth make it an excellent focal point in garden borders and mixed beds. The plant’s size and striking flowers also make it ideal for container gardening.

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.