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Bulb
Asteraceae
Giant Dahlia 'Café au Lait Twist' (Dahlia)
Dahlia pinnata ‘Café au Lait Twist’
Café au Lait Twist Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata ‘Café au Lait Twist’) produces enormous cream blooms delicately marbled with soft pink. This elegant dinner plate variety brightens gardens from midsummer until the first frost.
- Quantity
- 1 tuber
- Exposure
- Full sun. Bright sunlight is essential for producing enormous blooms and sturdy stems.
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zone 10
Discover the plant
Common nameCafé au Lait Twist Dahlia
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusDahlia
TypeBulb
Botanical nameDahlia pinnata ‘Café au Lait Twist’
Reproducible seedsYes
Café au Lait Twist Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata ‘Café au Lait Twist’) is a spectacular tuberous perennial prized for its enormous, fully double dinner plate blooms. Creamy petals delicately streaked with soft pink resemble the marbled tones of a cappuccino, giving each flower a refined and distinctive appearance. From July through October, blooms are produced generously above dense, elegant, dark green foliage. Reaching 100 to 120 cm (39 to 47 in) tall, this variety creates an exceptional focal point in summer landscapes. Not hardy in Canada, it should be overwintered in a frost-free location.
Plant the tuber in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed, approximately 10 cm (4 in) deep. Choose a location in full sun with rich, loose, humus-rich, evenly moist, and well-drained soil, spacing plants 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in) apart. Install a sturdy stake at planting time to support the stems once they are carrying their large flowers. Water regularly without allowing the soil to become waterlogged, and fertilize every two to three weeks with a fertilizer high in potassium. Lift the tubers before the first autumn frost and store them in a cool, dry, frost-free location until spring.
Café au Lait Twist Dahlia is ideal for romantic garden beds, large sunny borders, generous containers, and cut flower gardens. Pair it with cosmos, baby’s breath, salvias, and ornamental grasses to create soft, sophisticated displays. Its fully open blooms have excellent vase life and are especially prized for wedding bouquets and premium floral arrangements. The flowers also attract bees, butterflies, and many other pollinating insects throughout the summer. Remove spent blooms regularly to extend flowering until the first frost.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
10 cm (4 in)
Sowing period
Spring
Propagation
Divide the tubers in spring, ensuring each division has at least one viable growing eye. This preserves the characteristics of the cultivar.
Growing method
Plant the tubers in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed. Plant approximately 10 cm (4 in) deep, spacing tubers 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in) apart in rich, loose, well-drained soil. Choose a location in full sun for abundant flowering. Water regularly without waterlogging the soil and fertilize throughout the growing season. Install sturdy stakes at planting time to support the large flower stems. Lift the tubers before the first hard frost and store them in a cool, dry, frost-free location over winter.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
5°C (41°F)
Care level
Intermediate
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist without overwatering. Reduce watering before lifting the tubers in autumn.
Soil type
Rich, loose, humus-rich, well-drained soil that remains evenly moist without becoming waterlogged. Avoid heavy, poorly drained soils.
Fertilization
Apply a fertilizer high in potassium every two to three weeks during active growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages foliage rather than flowers.
Seasonal care
Install sturdy stakes at planting time to support the heavy flower stems. Remove spent blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Water deeply during hot weather without overwatering. Lift the tubers before the first hard frost and store them in a cool, dry location over winter.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in)
Container gardening requires foresight regarding the necessary volume for roots and the plant's final height. Choose a stable pot with drainage holes and a substrate suitable for planting. Leave enough space to respect the recommended depth and spacing rather than crowding plants to immediately fill the pot. Place the container in the indicated exposure and regularly check the moisture, especially in hot or windy weather. A pot is more exposed to temperature variations than planting in open ground. Therefore, plan for a wintering location from the start that is compatible with the plant's needs and your region's climate. Plant in spring when all risk of frost has passed and the soil is sufficiently warmed. Choose a sunny spot, sheltered from strong winds, in fertile and well-drained soil. Arrange the tuberous roots with their crown and buds oriented upwards, without breaking the fragile attachments. Install a stake at planting if support will be necessary, to avoid damaging the roots later. Water sparingly at the start, then adapt watering to foliage growth. Consistently soggy soil around the tubers should be avoided, especially before the appearance of the first shoots. Plan to bring the storage organs indoors, away from frost, for the Quebec winter.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
100 to 120 cm (39 to 47 in)
Width / spread
50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in)
Flower color
Cream with soft pink streaks
Foliage color
Dark green
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Fast
Bloom period
Enormous double blooms feature creamy petals delicately streaked with soft pink, creating a refined marbled effect. With regular deadheading, flowering continues until the first frost.
Harvest
July to October. Harvest flowers when fully open for the longest vase life.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Pairs beautifully with cosmos, ornamental grasses, salvias, and baby's breath to create romantic, elegant plantings.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
When should Café au Lait Twist Dahlia tubers be planted?
Plant the tubers in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed. Planting in cold soil slows development. Choose a sunny location for the best results.
Is Café au Lait Twist Dahlia a good cut flower?
Yes. Its enormous dinner plate blooms have exceptional vase life and are especially popular for wedding bouquets and elegant floral arrangements.
Does Café au Lait Twist Dahlia need staking?
Yes. Its large flowers are heavy, so sturdy stakes help prevent stems from bending or breaking in wind and heavy rain.
Should the tubers be lifted for winter in Canada?
Yes. The tubers are not hardy in most Canadian climates. Lift them after the first light frost and store them in a cool, dry, frost-free location until spring.
Does Café au Lait Twist Dahlia attract pollinators?
Yes. Its blooms attract bees, butterflies, and many other pollinating insects throughout the growing season, especially when fully open.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Bees, butterflies, and pollinators
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