Dahlia Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' (Misc/dwb)
ABOUT
The Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' is a strikingly beautiful plant known for its vibrant and showy flowers. It exhibits a rich palette of colors, often with petals that blend shades or feature contrasting colors at their tips. The flowers themselves are substantial and rounded, with numerous layered petals that create a full, almost spherical shape. Each petal is smooth and may have pointed or rounded tips. This variety of dahlia has a lush, green foliage that serves as a backdrop to its large and attention-grabbing blossoms. The leaves are typically ovate with serrated edges, and they grow neatly along the sturdy stems. Moreover, this plant is a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers due to its bold visual appeal and the elegant touch it adds to flower beds and arrangements.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Ellen Huston Dahlia, Ellen Huston
Common names
Dahlia 'Ellen Huston'
ToxicityTo humans
Dahlias, including the Dahlia 'Ellen Huston', are not considered toxic to humans. They do not typically cause serious symptoms if ingested, and they are sometimes even used in culinary dishes. However, as with any non-food plant, individual allergies and sensitivities could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested in large quantities, but this is not common.
To pets
Dahlias, such as the Dahlia 'Ellen Huston', are generally safe and non-toxic to pets. Ingesting parts of this plant is unlikely to result in poisoning or serious health issues for pets such as cats or dogs. However, as with any plant material, ingestion could potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, like vomiting or diarrhea, especially if consumed in large amounts. It is always advisable to monitor your pets around plants and discourage them from eating non-food plants.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Blooms: Dahlias like 'Ellen Huston' are known for their vibrant and colorful flowers that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, adding beauty to any garden.
- Extended Flowering Season: Dahlias can bloom from mid-summer right through to the first frosts, offering a long season of visual interest.
- Variety of Uses: These plants are versatile; they can be grown in flower beds, borders, and containers and are excellent for cut flower arrangements.
- Attract Pollinators: Dahlias are great for attracting beneficial insects to the garden, including bees and butterflies, which help with pollination.
- Easy to Grow: With appropriate care regarding soil, sunlight, and watering, dahlias are relatively easy to cultivate, making them accessible for many gardeners.
- Propagatable: They can be propagated from tubers, cuttings, or seeds, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Garden Design: Dahlias are excellent for adding structure and height to a garden design, with varieties like 'Ellen Huston' potentially reaching noticeable sizes.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dahlias, such as 'Ellen Huston', can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering a range of colors from the petals and other plant parts.
- The tubers of dahlias can be used in culinary applications similar to the way sweet potatoes are used; they can be roasted, boiled, or fried.
- Dahlia flowers can be utilized in the craft of flower pressing, which involves drying flowers to preserve them for ornamental uses, like in scrapbooking or card making.
- The stalks of dahlias may be repurposed into garden stakes for other plants once the flowering season is over and the stalk has dried and stiffened.
- Some enthusiasts use dried dahlia tubers to carve small decorative items, much like one would carve wood, due to their solid texture when dried.
- Dahlia flowers can serve as inspiration for artists and designers, being used as live models for drawing, painting, or even in fashion design for patterns.
- The vibrant and varied colors of dahlia petals are sometimes used in color therapy and visual meditation practices to promote mental relaxation and well-being.
- Whole dahlia plants can be used as temporary screens or natural fences in gardens, providing both privacy and aesthetic appeal during their growing season.
- In some cultures, dahlia petals and blooms are used in ceremonial decorations, such as in weddings or festivals, to symbolize commitment and celebration.
- Large dahlia blooms can be used as natural bowls to hold small items or as part of a decorative table setting for special occasions.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiDahlias are not commonly referenced in traditional Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityDahlias are not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Elegance and Dignity: Dahlias often symbolize elegance and dignity due to their intricate petals and beautiful range of colors.
- Change and Variety: Due to the vast array of colors and forms, dahlias can represent change and diversity.
- Commitment and Bond: They are also known to symbolize a lasting bond and commitment between two people.
- Creativity: Dahlias inspire creativity, reflecting the flower’s myriad choices in petal arrangements, colors, and overall presentation.
- Inner Strength: The dahlia's sturdy stem and ability to bloom beautifully under challenging conditions are seen as a symbol of inner strength.
WaterDahlias should be watered deeply and the soil allowed to dry out slightly between waterings to encourage strong root growth. Typically, a dahlia plant requires watering two to three times per week, depending on the climate and weather conditions. A good approach is to provide about 1-2 inches of water each week, which translates to about 0.6-1.2 gallons per plant. In particularly hot or dry conditions, this amount may need to be increased to ensure the soil remains moist to a depth of several inches. It's essential to avoid overhead watering that can lead to fungal diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant.
LightDahlias thrive in full sun and should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Placing the Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' in a spot where it can bask in the morning sun and be protected from the intense afternoon heat is beneficial. However, in regions with very hot summers, providing partial shade during the peak afternoon hours can help prevent heat stress.
TemperatureDahlias prefer moderate to warm temperatures and can thrive when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit but prefer not to be subjected to cold drafts or prolonged periods of cool weather. Dahlias begin to suffer when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and growth may slow down significantly in high heat.
PruningPruning dahlias helps promote bushier growth and more abundant flowering. For the Dahlia 'Ellen Huston', pinch out the growing tips when the plant has reached about 16 inches in height to encourage branching. Throughout the blooming season, regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDahlia 'Ellen Huston' thrives best in a well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.0. A mix of loam, peat, and sand with added compost or well-rotted manure will create an ideal environment for its growth.
RepottingDahlias typically don't need frequent repotting and can be replanted annually. However, Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' should be lifted and stored during winter in colder climates and replanted after the last frost.
Humidity & MistingDahlias prefer a moderate humidity level. Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' will do well in outdoor conditions where the humidity is naturally regulated by the environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure ample light, avoid excess water.
Outdoor
Full sun, protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' begins with seed germination or tuber growth in the spring, where the plant requires warm, well-drained soil and an ample amount of sunlight. Following germination, the seedlings or sprouting tubers enter a vegetative phase, developing a robust stem and foliage system. As the plant matures, the Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' progresses into a flowering stage during the summer and early autumn, showcasing its vibrant blooms which are essential for pollination. After the flowering period, as temperatures drop in late autumn, the above-ground parts of the plant start to die back while the tubers enter a dormant stage, which allows the plant to survive through the winter. These tubers can be overwintered in the soil in milder climates or dug up, stored, and replanted the following spring in areas with harsher winters. The cycle repeats when the tubers are replanted or start to grow again as the weather warms, completing the life cycle of the Dahlia 'Ellen Huston'.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Dahlia 'Ellen Huston', also known simply as Dahlia, can be propagated most effectively through division, which is best done in spring just before the new growth begins. To propagate by division, carefully lift the tuber clump from the ground with a pitchfork, taking care not to damage the tubers. Once the clump is out of the ground, gently brush off any excess soil and identify the tuberous roots that have at least one eye, which is a point from where new growth will emerge. Using a sharp, sterilized knife, cut the clump into sections, making sure each section has at least one eye. After cutting, it's beneficial to treat the cut surfaces with a fungicide to prevent rot. The divisions should then be planted in well-drained soil, ideally in a sunny location. The depth at which the tuber divisions are planted is crucial; they should be placed about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) deep, with the eyes facing upwards.
