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A handful of Dahlia ‘RaeAnn’s Orion’.
A handful of Dahlia ‘RaeAnn’s Orion’.

Dahlia ‘RaeAnn’s Orion’

Features

  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

The pointed petals on this beauty roll inward, and the rich candy-pink and white mottling on the petal backs gives them a tie-dyed or watercolor look. The petal fronts are a darker pink and the large, golden eye is surrounded by long, creamy white twizzles, making for an interesting contrast. The towering plants are smothered in an abundance of long-stemmed blooms and the pollinators adore them.

Details

Form: orchette
Bloom size: 4½ 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

The pointed petals on this beauty roll inward, and the rich candy-pink and white mottling on the petal backs gives them a tie-dyed or watercolor look. The petal fronts are a darker pink and the large, golden eye is surrounded by long, creamy white twizzles, making for an interesting contrast. The towering plants are smothered in an abundance of long-stemmed blooms and the pollinators adore them.

Details

Form: orchette
Bloom size: 4½ 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

Summer Mini Course

Learn how to grow, harvest & arrange beautiful cut flowers

In this free three-part video series, you’ll learn a simple step to double the number of blooms your plants produce, how to cut and care for your flowers for the longest vase life, and how to make mixed bouquets quickly and efficiently.