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Bulb
Asteraceae
Giant Dahlia 'Café au Lait Rose' (Dahlia)
Dahlia × pinnata ‘Café au Lait Rose’
Café au Lait Rose Dahlia (Dahlia × pinnata ‘Café au Lait Rose’) produces enormous soft pink blooms with broad, gently ruffled petals. This elegant variety flowers abundantly from midsummer until the first frost.
- Quantity
- 1 tuber
- Exposure
- Full sun. Bright sunlight promotes abundant flowering and strong, sturdy stems.
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zone 10
Discover the plant
Common nameCafé au Lait Rose Dahlia
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusDahlia
TypeBulb
Botanical nameDahlia × pinnata ‘Café au Lait Rose’
Reproducible seedsYes
Café au Lait Rose Dahlia (Dahlia × pinnata ‘Café au Lait Rose’) is a spectacular tuberous perennial renowned for its enormous soft pink decorative blooms. Its broad, gently ruffled petals create the airy, silky texture that has made the Café au Lait series so beloved, beautifully complemented by rich, dark green foliage. From July through October, this variety blooms generously on plants reaching approximately 110 cm (43 in) tall. It quickly becomes a refined 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 about 50 cm (20 in) apart. Install a sturdy stake at planting time to support the heavy flower stems. Water regularly without allowing the soil to become waterlogged, and fertilize every two to three weeks with a fertilizer high in potassium. Lift the tuber before the first hard frost and store it in a cool, dry, frost-free location until spring.
Café au Lait Rose Dahlia (Dahlia × pinnata ‘Café au Lait Rose’) is ideal for large garden beds, sunny borders, generous containers, and cut flower gardens. Pair it with baby’s breath, cosmos, salvias, pastel perennials, and ornamental grasses to create romantic, airy, and elegant displays. Its fully open blooms have exceptional vase life and are especially prized for wedding bouquets and sophisticated floral arrangements. The flowers also attract bees, butterflies, and many other pollinating insects throughout the summer. Regular harvesting and deadheading encourage continuous flowering until the first frost.
Planting guide
Plant well.Grow beautifully.
Planting depth
10 cm (4 in)
Best planting time
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 about 50 cm (20 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 a sturdy stake at planting time to support the enormous blooms. 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
Remove spent blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Water deeply during hot weather without overwatering. Fertilize every two to three weeks throughout the growing season. 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 culture requires planning for the volume needed for the roots and the plant's final height. Choose a stable pot with drainage holes and a planting medium suited to the plant. Leave enough space to respect the recommended depth and spacing, rather than overcrowding plants to fill the pot immediately. Place the container in the indicated exposure and check the moisture regularly, especially in hot or windy weather. A pot is more exposed to temperature variations than a plant in the ground. Therefore, plan for an overwintering location from the outset 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 has warmed sufficiently. Choose a sunny spot, sheltered from strong winds, in fertile and well-drained soil. Arrange the tuberous roots with their collar and buds facing upwards, without breaking the fragile attachments. Install a stake at planting if support will be needed, to avoid damaging the roots later. Water sparingly at the beginning, then adjust the watering according to foliage growth. Consistently waterlogged soil around the tubers should be avoided, especially before the first shoots appear. Plan to bring in the dormant organs to a frost-free location for the Quebec winter.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
110 cm (44 in)
Width / spread
50 cm (20 in)
Flower color
Soft pink
Foliage color
Dark green
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Fast
Bloom period
Enormous decorative blooms feature broad, softly ruffled soft pink petals that create the airy, romantic appearance characteristic of the Café au Lait series. 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 baby's breath, cosmos, ornamental grasses, salvias, and pastel perennials to create romantic garden displays.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
When should Café au Lait Rose 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 Rose Dahlia a good cut flower?
Yes. Its enormous decorative blooms have exceptional vase life and are especially prized for wedding bouquets and premium floral arrangements.
Does Café au Lait Rose Dahlia need staking?
Yes. The 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 Rose Dahlia attract pollinators?
Yes. Its blooms attract bees, butterflies, and many other pollinating insects throughout the growing season when fully open.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Bees, butterflies, and pollinators
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