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Dahlia imperialis (Tree Dahlia) - This fast-growing multi-stemmed tree-like, shrub-like, perennial has 3 to 4 inch diameter cane-like four angled stems that grow to 8 to 12 feet or more tall with swollen nodes where the large bipinnate dark green leaves emerge. These leaves drop off with age to expose the tall erect stems that are topped in the fall and early winter with clusters of large 4- to 5-inch-wide light lavender yellow centered dahlia flowers that nod downwards to be viewed from below.
Plant in sun or shade and water regularly. It is hardy to about 20-25 degrees F but as it blooms in the late fall, flowers they can be damaged by frosts in cold locations. Plant in a location that is protected from wind and cut plants down to near the ground (or a foot or two above it) in late winter. This plant is easy to propagate, and gardeners often share cut, cane like, stems with friends in winter months.
Dahlia imperialis is native to southern Mexico, Central America south into Colombia where it is found in uplands and mountains from 4,900 to 5,600 feet in elevation. The name of the genus honors the Swedish botanist Ander Dahl, a student of Linnaeus and the specific epithet is Latin for imperial, a reference to the size of the plant and the flowers.
Information displayed on this page about Dahlia imperialis is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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