Dahlia ‘Pooh’

Dahlia ‘Pooh’ is a delightful dahlia variety, offering a unique blend of playful colors, approachable size, and straightforward growth. Its adaptability and charming appearance make it a highly sought-after choice for gardeners and floral designers. Whether used to add a splash of color to a garden, as a standout in floral arrangements, or as part of a pollinator-friendly garden, ‘Pooh’ brings joy and vibrancy wherever it grows. This dahlia is featured in our top 40 must-see dahlia flowers.

Dahlia ‘Pooh’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘Pooh’ is a charming and playful variety in the collarette dahlia group. It is cherished for its distinctive bi-color pattern, featuring a bright combination of red and yellow. The flowers have a unique form, with a central disc surrounded by a collar of small petals (the “collarette”) and a larger outer ring of petals, giving them a cheerful and eye-catching appearance.

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 appreciated for its consistent blooming and manageable size, making it a versatile choice for different garden styles.

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 ‘Pooh’ are particularly eye-catching. They are medium-sized, typically measuring about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in diameter. The outer petals are a bright red, while the inner collarette is a sunny yellow, surrounding the central disc. This color contrast creates a lively and inviting look, reminiscent of the playful character it’s named after.

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: ‘Pooh’ is highly versatile and ideal for a variety of garden uses. Its bright, cheerful blooms make it a popular choice for cutting gardens and striking in floral arrangements. In landscaping, it serves as a vibrant addition to borders, beds, or container plantings. The plant’s compact size and engaging appearance also make it suitable for urban gardens or patios.

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 aphids, botrytis blight, earwigs, powdery mildew, slugs and snails, spider mites, and thrips.