American Dawn Dahlia Tubers

American Dawn: Decorative Dahlia Tubers

One of the best modern decorative Dahlia varieties, American Dawn is so different it leaves people speechless. Check out the descriptions on the internet - no two writers seem able to agree on its many colours! Whatever the colours, they are certainly the colours of a wonderful sunrise.
Browse our other Decorative Dahlias or our full range of Dahlias here.

The flowers (10cm-15cm wide) do indeed change colour over time, from a peony pink/purple bud, opening to a predominantly rich fuchsia/purple. As the petals age, they turn a tropical blend of warm apricot, mango and peach (or is it coral-apricot?). To top it all off, the petals are streaked on the back with plum tones, making an explosion of colour!

Many gardeners have remarked on its robust strength and healthiness in a garden setting, making it a very special dahlia. Its long, dark purple stems contrast with the green foliage to make it an excellent, long-lasting cut flower.

Features

• Colour: Warm apricot with purple/plum highlights
• Foliage: Dark green divided leaves, dark stems
• Flower Size: 10cm to 15cm
• Type: Decorative Dahlia
• Cutting: Yes
• Height/Spread: 90cm x 60cm
• Flowering: July to November
• Outdoor Planting Months: March to July

Growing American Dawn Dahlias

All dahlias do best in deep rich soil with good drainage in a sunny spot. If it is windy they will need staking. They are greedy, thirsty plants so will need watering in dry spells, and they will always flower that little bit better if there is a bit of soluble food in the watering can once every couple of weeks.

It is generally more convenient to put support stakes in at planting time, rather than leaving it until there is foliage in the way.

Planting Companions for American Dawn

At a compact 90cm x 60cm, they look great in pots on the patio and stunning in large groups, or used as a mid-size border plant behind herbaceous perennials.

If you ignore seed, Dahlias can be planted at three stages: as tubers, rooted cuttings and pot-grown plants.

Tubers can be planted at any time from March onwards. The hole should be at least double the diameter of the tuber laid out on the ground. Incorporate about 25% well rotted compost and if drainage is in any way doubtful then add plenty of horticultural grit as well. Plant one tuber per hole, leaving 60-80 cms between plants (depending on final size) and make sure the tuber is covered with 10-12 cms (4-5") of soil. This is important as it will insulate the tuber against frosts in March-May as they will take a couple of months to show.

Rooted cuttings, which are available from early April onwards, will need to be potted up and kept in a sunny and frost free place until they are ready to be planted out in mid May. Their treatment then is the same as for tubers except they are planted level with rather than 10 cms below the surrounding soil level.

Pot grown plants are not delivered until June, and are then planted out immediately in the same way as an established rooted cutting.

The more you deadhead, the more flowers you'll get.

Did You Know?

American Dawn is Dutch, raised by MJ Komen, and was introduced in 2007. It is one of the modern dahlias bred for cutting-edge colour-changing blooms, sturdy dark stems and abundant production.