I live in Cincinnati, OH. Does anyone know of any Dahlia types that act as perennials in this zone? I'd prefer not to have to dig them up every year if there's a variety that is somewhat cold hardy.

It seems that some people who live up north in places like Oregon are able to grow varieties such as Pooh. Is there a directory somewhere of Dahlias that lists their zone ranking? They really look like beautiful plants.

Sorry! Dahlias have to be dug if you live anywhere below zone 8. The people growing them in Oregon probably live in the western third of the state where temperatures are much milder.

In that case, can I just plant Dahlia seeds every year? or is it better to dig them up, store them and replant them?

Daisy is correct to dig and store. I am zone 8 and do not have to dig. But I can tell you that here they are also grown in containers that are left out all year, cause I do not like to dig and lift. You could start with one or two grow them in containers. After first frost and foliage looks black cut off foliage leaving 2 inches of stem. With cold weather store the containers where they would not freeze, nor get wet. Bring back out in spring when cold weather is over. May you have a joyful week!

They are easy to grow from seed, though. I have gotten some lovely dahlias from seed. And if you grow one you particularly like, you can always dig and store it. My problem isn't so much the digging them up as having a good place to store them.

I did have Dahlias in the ground year 'round in California (zone 8). I have never grown them from seed so have no idea if they bloom the first year - if they don't, growing from seed yearly would be silly.

I do know that the rhizomes are easily bruised and rot easily if bruised. Growing in containers would certainly solve the problem.

The ones I have grown from seed have always bloomed the first year. However, I have also always started them early in a greenhouse.

I hate digging my dahlias, so this year solved that problem as I planted in containers. I figured I can either move the pots inside (basement doesnt get below 40) OR just dump out the containers and save tubers (alot easier than digging and I will remember to do it)

That sounds great. What size container should I use? How deep and how wide?

That IS a good suggestion, if you have room to store the containers. I've done that with better success than trying to dig and store the bare tubers. I just don't have room. I had mine in 2 gallon pots.