Dahlia Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' (D)
ABOUT
Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' is a visually striking plant known for its blooms that are both large and showy. The flowers are characterized by a beautiful color palette, with petals that exhibit a creamy white shade edged and softly blended with a gentle pink hue. Each bloom is composed of numerous layers of these delicate petals, which can range from being slightly rounded to having a more elongated and tubular shape, depending on the position within the flower's structure. The overall appearance of the flowers is often described as having a waterlily or peony-like form, meaning that the blooms have a full, almost lush quality to them, making them quite eye-catching. These blooms emerge atop sturdy stems, which are green and provide a strong contrast to the pastel tones of the petals. The foliage of 'Diana's Memory' consists of dark green leaves that are pinnately divided and have serrated edges, giving them a feathery appearance. As the plant progresses through its blooming period, the flowers can exhibit subtle changes in color intensity and petal arrangement, lending each flower head a unique appearance even within the same plant. Such dynamic flowering makes 'Diana's Memory' a valued addition to any garden setting where visual impact and floral beauty are desired.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Garden Dahlia, Georgina
Common names
Dahlia 'Diana's Memory'
ToxicityTo humans
Dahlias are generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no significant toxic effects reported for Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' upon ingestion. However, it's always prudent to avoid eating ornamental plants as they are not intended for consumption.
To pets
Dahlias, including the variety 'Diana's Memory', are considered non-toxic to pets. They are not known to contain any substances that are poisonous to dogs, cats, or other animals typically kept as pets. If a pet ingests parts of a Dahlia plant, it is unlikely to suffer from poisoning as a result. However, consumption of any plant material might cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Dahlias like 'Diana's Memory' provide stunning visual interest with their vibrant, intricate blooms, enhancing garden beauty.
- Variety of Uses: Can be used in borders, flower beds, and as cut flowers for indoor arrangements, offering versatility in landscaping and home decor.
- Pollinator Attraction: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity and garden health.
- Easy Propagation: Tubers can be divided to propagate new plants, making it easy to expand the garden or share with others.
- Long Blooming Period: Dahlias have a lengthy flowering season from midsummer until the first frost, ensuring long-lasting garden color.
- Range of Colors and Forms: Available in a wide range of colors and forms, allowing for personalized garden design and a unique aesthetic.
- Relatively Pest Resistant: With proper care, dahlias are relatively resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Seasonal Festivity: Their late blooming period can provide festive colors that match autumn celebrations, adding seasonal charm to gardens and arrangements.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye production: The petals of the Dahlia can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering a range of colors depending on the mordant used.
- Edible treats: While not common, the tubers of Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' can be consumed, similar to a root vegetable, after proper preparation to remove any bitterness.
- Photography subject: With its exquisite form and color, the Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' serves as an excellent subject for botanical photographers and hobbyists alike.
- Art inspiration: Artists may use the unique form and color of the Dahlia as inspiration for paintings, drawings, and other forms of art.
- Decorative crafts: The sturdy stems and vibrant blooms of the Dahlia can be incorporated into decorative wreaths and other craft projects.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Dried petals of the Dahlia can be used as biodegradable confetti for celebrations such as weddings or garden parties.
- Learning tool: Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' can be used in educational settings to teach about plant biology, hybridization, and horticultural practices.
- Horticulture training: The variety can be used in master gardening programs to train individuals in the proper techniques of Dahlia cultivation and care.
- Floral arrangements: Dahlias provide structure and a pop of color in both fresh and dried floral arrangements.
- Garden design: Due to its distinctive appearance, Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' can be used as a focal point in landscape and garden design.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiDahlias are not specifically mentioned in traditional Feng Shui practice, but they can be used to enhance certain areas due to their vibrant colors and full blooms. A pink or red Dahlia, such as 'Diana's Memory', can be placed in the southwest sector of a garden or room to strengthen love and marriage energy, or in the east to support family harmony and health.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Dahlia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Elegance and Dignity: The 'Diana's Memory' dahlia, with its sophisticated form and presence, symbolizes a poised and graceful nature, often associated with the composed beauty of royalty.
- Change and Variety: With numerous forms and colors that dahlias exhibit, they often symbolize diversity, change, and variety, reflecting the many facets of our lives.
- Commitment and Bond: Given their impressive blooms and the time they take to grow and maintain, dahlias are considered a symbol of commitment and a lasting bond between two people.
- Inner Strength: Dahlias bloom from midsummer until the first frost, showcasing their resilience and are thus known to represent strength, overcoming challenges, and standing out despite adversity.
- Unique Qualities: Each dahlia, especially a cultivar with a specific name like 'Diana's Memory', represents unique traits, promoting the idea of individuality and distinctiveness.
WaterDahlias should be watered deeply, with particular attention to watering during the growing season when they are leafing out, and especially during dry spells. A good rule of thumb is to provide an inch of water per week, either through rainfall or direct watering. This could translate to approximately 0.6 gallons for a medium-sized plant. Overhead watering should be avoided to prevent disease; instead, water at the base of the plant early in the day to allow foliage to dry. During the peak of summer, Dahlias may need additional water, but always check the soil moisture level first to avoid overwatering.
LightDahlias perform best in full sun, which means they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Place your Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' in a location that receives unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day to encourage vigorous growth and abundant flowering. However, in extremely hot climates, they may benefit from light afternoon shade to prevent heat stress.
TemperatureDahlias thrive in moderate temperatures and prefer an environment where daytime temperatures range between 60° and 75°F. They can survive minimum temperatures of 50°F but growth may be stunted. It's critical to protect Dahlias from frost; therefore, they should not be planted outside until all danger of frost has passed in the spring. Likewise, they should be dug up or adequately protected before the first frost in fall.
PruningPruning is essential for dahlias to encourage bushier growth and more abundant flowers. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continued blooming throughout the season. Cut back the stems to the next set of leaves. During the growing season, pinching off the top growth after the plant has reached about a foot in height will encourage lateral branching. Best time for major pruning is early in the growing season and then minimizing as the plant begins to bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDahlias prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a pH level of around 6.5 to 7.0. A good soil mix for 'Diana's Memory' would include equal parts garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand to improve drainage. Enriching the soil with compost or a balanced fertilizer will support its vigorous growth and blooming.
RepottingDahlias, including 'Diana's Memory', do not need frequent repotting as they are typically grown as annuals. Instead, they are lifted and stored during winter in colder climates and replanted after the last frost in spring.
Humidity & MistingDahlias like 'Diana's Memory' are tolerant of various humidity levels but thrive best in moderate conditions. They do not have specific humidity requirements, making them adaptable to normal outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure full sun, moist soil, and stake tall stems for best indoor Dahlia growth.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, provide stakes for support, and keep soil consistently moist.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' begins with the germination of its tubers in the spring after the last frost when the soil has warmed. It then enters a period of vegetative growth, putting forth stems, leaves, and roots. As the plant matures and the days lengthen, it enters the flowering stage, often in midsummer, producing its characteristic showy blooms. After flowering, if the blooms are regularly deadheaded, it can continue to produce flowers until the first frost. As temperatures drop in the fall, Dahlia 'Diana's Memory' enters dormancy; its aerial parts die back, and the energy is reserved in its tubers. Finally, for the plant to continue its lifecycle the following year, the tubers are typically dug up before the first deep freeze and stored in a cool, dry place over the winter.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Dahlia 'Diana's Memory', commonly known as D, can be propagated through several methods such as division, cuttings, and seeds, but division is the most popular and effective way to propagate these plants. The best time to propagate dahlias by division is in the spring when new growth begins to appear. Gardeners typically lift the tubers from the ground after the first light frost in fall and store them over winter in a cool, dry place. In the spring, each tuber with at least one eye, which is a growth point, can be cut away from the main clump with a sharp, clean knife. The cut sections should be allowed to dry for a day or two to form a callus over the cut surfaces before planting. This prevents rot and aids in the successful establishment of new plants. The divisions should be planted in well-drained soil with the eyes facing upwards and covered with about 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters) of soil, being sure to water them in well after planting.
