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Dahlia ‘Moonfire’

Moonfire Dahlia, Single Dahlia

AGM Award
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Dahlia Moonfire, Moonfire Dahlia, Yellow Dahlia

Dahlia ‘Moonfire’ is a remarkable dahlia variety, offering a blend of vibrant colors, approachable size, and straightforward growth. Its adaptability and stunning appearance make it a highly desirable choice for gardeners and floral designers. Whether used to brighten a garden space, as a standout in floral arrangements, or as a part of a pollinator-friendly garden, ‘Moonfire’ impresses with its sun-like blooms and easy-going nature.

Dahlia ‘Moonfire’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘Moonfire’ is a standout variety in the single dahlia group, cherished for its vibrant and fiery color palette. It features blooms with golden-yellow petals surrounding a bold, dark red center, creating a striking contrast against the dark bronze foliage.

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 manageable growth and ease of care, making it a popular choice for gardeners of all skill levels.

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: The flowers of ‘Moonfire’ are its most stunning feature. They are medium-sized, usually measuring about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in diameter. They feature golden orange petals blushed with orange-red at their center, and a dark chocolate disc that glows with flecks of bright golden stamens. The bloom’s open form and vibrant colors make it highly attractive to pollinators.

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

Foliage: The foliage is distinctively dark bronze, offering a striking contrast to its bright, sun-like flowers. This darker foliage adds depth and a unique aesthetic to the plant, enhancing the vibrancy of the golden-yellow petals and dark red centers. The compound leaves contribute to the overall lushness, making ‘Moonfire’ a visually appealing variety in any garden setting.

Uses: Ideal for borders, beds, and as a striking feature in floral arrangements. Its vibrant blooms are also popular in cut flower gardens.

Award: Recipient of 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: 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 aphidsbotrytis blightearwigs, powdery mildew, slugs and snailsspider mites, and thrips.

Dahlia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Learn how to plant, grow and care for Dahlia flowers and add a bright pop of summer color to your garden

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
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 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 16" (40cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dahlia
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Dahlia ‘Nadia Ruth’
Dahlia ‘Omega’
Dahlia ‘Feline Yvonne’
Dahlia ‘Dazzling Magic’
Dahlia ‘Bishop of Dover’
Dahlia ‘Avignon’

Recommended Companion Plants

Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)
Crocosmia (Montbretia)
Helenium (Sneezeweed)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Bee-Friendly Dahlia Flowers
Dahlia – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Top 40 Must-See Dahlia Flowers
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
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Dahlia
Most Beautiful Dinner Plate Dahlias
Waterlily Dahlias
Mignon and Single Dahlias
Cactus and Semi Cactus Dahlias
Anemone and Collarette Dahlias
Peony-Flowered and Orchid Dahlias
Pompon and Ball Dahlias
Decorative Dahlias
Beautiful Dahlias to Crave For
Great Ornamental Grasses to Grow with Your Favorite Dahlias
Great Perennial Plants to Grow with Your Favorite Dahlias
Dahlias with Dark Foliage
Dahlia: Plant Care and Growing Guide
Best Dahlias For Cutting
Best Dahlias For Containers and Low Borders
Plants with Pink Flowers to Add Romance to Your Garden
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
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 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 16" (40cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Cutting Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dahlia
Guides with
Dahlia
Not sure which Dahlia to pick?
Compare Now

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