Just picked up Orange Nugget Dahlia bulbs for the first time, which bloom summer through fall. Planting in coastal New York zone 7b. This variety grows about 22 in. tall and the package recommends planting 20 in. apart and 5 in. deep. Sincerely appreciate your advice for planting them.

1) We were thinking of planting one per grouping of early-mid-late tulip bulbs which we have planted between perennials which bloom summer through fall. Those tulips are planted about 3 in. apart. Could we plant a dahlia bulb in the middle of them, without interfering with the tulips fully coming up?
2) Is 5 in depth from the top of the bulb to the surface, or from the bottom of the bulb?
3) Which fertilizer is best for them? We already have Espoma Bulb, Holly and Plant Tone.

Technically dahlias have tubers, not bulbs. I would not plant in between tulip bulbs. That tuber/tuber clump (not sure how yours came) will multiply greatly. Also, if you want to save them after season you might have to dig them up and store. Not sure if hardy in your zone.

Can you post a picture of your tubers?

Tulips won't enjoy the water needed for dahlias to grow.

jvdubb said: Technically dahlias have tubers, not bulbs. I would not plant in between tulip bulbs. That tuber/tuber clump (not sure how yours came) will multiply greatly. Also, if you want to save them after season you might have to dig them up and store. Not sure if hardy in your zone.

Thank you jvdubb, good points. If you can't tell already, we really try to cram in the color, maximizing every inch of soil and season : ) We even plant our perennials closer together (which also means they don't need mulch to keep down weeds). I'll open the box to take a photo of the tubers soon.

Roughly how much width do these dahlia plants take up?

Do they do well in pots, and if so, how wide and deep a pot would you use?

Do you think they'd do well planted among perennials like Black Eyed Susans, Catmint, Creopsis (Tickseed), Echinacea, etc.

Do you think the tubers could be planted in a bed I'm seeding with sunny pollinator perennials?

pirl said: Tulips won't enjoy the water needed for dahlias to grow.

Thank you Pirl, good point. Do you know how much space these Dahlias take up width-wise and from when to when they'd bloom in Zone 7b coastal NY? We've never grown them before.

Some dahlias grow very wide while others don't.

I'm in coastal zone 7. Expect blooms from late August to the first frost, usually early November.

Make sure you stake each one that grows beyond 2.5 feet tall. Stake them as you plant them. If you wait to stake, you run the risk of stabbing your tubers.

1) Roughly how much width do these dahlia plants take up?

2) Do they do well in pots, and if so, how wide and deep a pot would you use?

3) Do you think they'd do well planted among perennials like Black Eyed Susans, Catmint, Creopsis (Tickseed), Echinacea, etc.

4) Do you think the tubers could be planted in a bed we're seeding with sunny pollinator perennials?

1. I am not familiar with Orange Nugget. Did the package list a width? Any reputable seller would list that

2. Short to medium dahlias are fine in pots. But might still need staking. Again, because I am not familiar with this dahlia I cannot say what size pot. Minimum of 5 gallon. You will just have to experiment. When I grow in pots and it is end of season I just cut the foliage off at soil level and put the whole pot in storage

3. Yes they will do well planted among those as long as you have plenty of space in between those perennials. If there is not enough space you may damage the roots of your perennials when you dig them up. But if you are leaving in ground no worries.

4. Yes, but again allow for plenty of space on between plants

A great deal of gardening is just trial and error. All the word guidance in the world is no substitute for seeing how it actually works out in YOUR garden.

Not the best pic. But all I have on my phone. Bottom right is my dahlia that I grow in a pot. Maybe it will give you some idea of size

jvdubb said: 1. I am not familiar with Orange Nugget. Did the package list a width? Any reputable seller would list that...

A great deal of gardening is just trial and error. All the word guidance in the world is no substitute for seeing how it actually works out in YOUR garden.

Very true about trial and error, though we did learn fast under a great local gardener, here and through some reading which saved a lot of trial and error.

I find packages often list spacing between plants but rarely list width of the grown plant.

I have perennials packed in fairly close to maximize blooming, reduce water needs and as a weed-prevention technique - hardly any weeds grow between them during the season because the ground is so shaded due to the close planting. A trick I learned from an experienced gardener. You don't even need to mulch the area at the base of the plants, as the shade helps the ground hold more water so the plants need less.

I grow perennials that way also

Just googling that variety I se3 space plants 24-36 inches apart. If it were me I would not be planting in between your perennials. From what I see on the web these would be ideal in pots. This size pot (bucket for reference)

Dahlia 'Orange Nugget'

Good info right here in the data base

jvdubb said: Dahlia 'Orange Nugget'

Good info right here in the data base

Thank you! I didn't even know about the database.
1) How many inches should the side of a Dahlia tuber be from the surface? How close should the eye be to the surface? We've watched several videos and read blog posts and the info is all over the place.

2) Can we use Espoma Bulb Tone for dahlias?

3) We have a bunch of organic garden soil as well as extra Bumper Crop soil amendment we've been using for perennials. Which ration would you use for growing them in pots outside?