Dahlia ‘Valley Rust Bucket’
Description
This garden workhorse was lovingly bred by Leone and David Smith. It has deep, rust-colored blooms that are a favorite for everyone who visits the garden. Productive plants produce tall, weatherproof, long-lasting stems all season long.
Details
Form: miniature ball
Bloom size: 2 to 3½ in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 12 to 18 in
Pinch: when 12 in tall
Bloom size: 2 to 3½ in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 12 to 18 in
Pinch: when 12 in tall
Harvesting/Vase Life
Dahlias don’t unfurl much once they’ve been harvested so it’s important to not pick them too early. Harvest when blooms are three-quarters of the way open, but not overly ripe. Check the back of each flower head, looking for firm and lush petals versus papery or slightly dehydrated ones. Place into water with hydrator, or sear stem ends by placing into 160°F to 180°F (just off boiling) water and allow to cool for one hour. Expect a vase life of 5 days.
Details
Description
This garden workhorse was lovingly bred by Leone and David Smith. It has deep, rust-colored blooms that are a favorite for everyone who visits the garden. Productive plants produce tall, weatherproof, long-lasting stems all season long.
Details
Form: miniature ball
Bloom size: 2 to 3½ in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 12 to 18 in
Pinch: when 12 in tall
Bloom size: 2 to 3½ in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 100 days
Plant spacing: 12 to 18 in
Pinch: when 12 in tall
Harvesting/Vase Life
Dahlias don’t unfurl much once they’ve been harvested so it’s important to not pick them too early. Harvest when blooms are three-quarters of the way open, but not overly ripe. Check the back of each flower head, looking for firm and lush petals versus papery or slightly dehydrated ones. Place into water with hydrator, or sear stem ends by placing into 160°F to 180°F (just off boiling) water and allow to cool for one hour. Expect a vase life of 5 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Fall Mini Course
Learn how to successfully dig, divide & store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year
In our free, three-part video series, you’ll learn how and when to dig up your dahlia tuber clumps, how to divide dahlias to multiply your stock, and how to successfully store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year.
