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Tuber
Asteraceae
Van Noort
Dahlia hybrida
‘Blueberry Cheesecake’ Dahlia Mix
From bulb to bloom
Common name‘Blueberry Cheesecake’ decorative dahlia mix
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusDahlia
Bulb typeTuber
Botanical nameDahlia
Quantity per pack3 tubers
‘Blueberry Cheesecake’ Dahlia Mix (Dahlia × hortensis) contains three No. 1 decorative dahlia tubers selected for spectacular 20 to 25 cm blooms. Van Noort describes a summer-blueberry-inspired blend of violet-blue, pale pink, purple streaks, and white-frosted petals. Upright plants reach approximately 100 cm tall and 50 cm wide. They continue producing dozens of flowers successively through summer and into fall. This coordinated mix suits sunny beds, large containers, and productive cutting gardens. Each plant contributes a slightly different expression of the palette, giving Canadian summer arrangements both consistency and lively variation.
Plant the tubers in spring after every danger of frost, in full sun and fertile, loose, freely drained soil. Set them approximately 10 cm deep with the crown facing upward, keeping centres 50 cm apart. Water after planting, then wait for shoots before gradually increasing frequency. Keep the soil evenly moist afterward without allowing standing water. Install a stake or support ring as stems begin lengthening. Thin mulch applied after the soil warms helps conserve moisture and limits splashing. Pinching the growing tip when several leaf pairs are present can encourage branching and additional flowering stems.
Cut blooms when petals are nearly fully expanded, ideally in the morning or evening, and place stems immediately in fresh water. Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage new buds. Keep foliage intact until the first frost so tubers can store reserves. Van Noort assigns this dahlia to Zone 8 and recommends annual culture in Zones 3 to 10. In cold Canadian regions, lift tubers after frost, let them cure, and store them in a dark, dry, ventilated, frost-free location. Dahlia is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep plants, tubers, vase water, and debris inaccessible.
Light and life cycle
In the garden
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- Tender perennial; grown as an annual and stored frost-free in cold climates
- Hardiness
- Zone 8
Planting and establishment
Planting guide
Planting & establishment
Planting depth
10 cm (4 in.)
Planting period
March to May; adjust to local frost dates
Propagation
Planting and division of tubers carrying a viable crown
Growing method
After the last frost, choose a position receiving at least six hours of sun and loosen rich freely drained soil. Examine every tuber and locate the crown carrying growth buds; a separated tuber without a crown portion will not produce a plant. Set tubers approximately 10 cm deep and keep centres 50 cm apart. Water lightly, then wait for shoots before increasing moisture. When stems reach 25 to 30 cm, pinch above three or four pairs of leaves to encourage branching. Install support before the clump becomes dense. Keep soil evenly moist, feed with a low-nitrogen formula, and cut flowers when fully open. Remove faded flowers weekly. After the first frost, cut the stems, lift the tubers, allow them to dry briefly, and store them in a dark, dry, frost-free place. Inspect monthly and replant only firm divisions in spring. Keep labelled groups together to preserve the coordinated mix. During growth, inspect ties after storms and loosen them before they constrict the stems. Water at soil level in the morning so foliage dries quickly. In containers, place only one tuber in every 45 cm pot. Before storage, keep the label with every clump and clean tools between divisions when disease is suspected. Do not wash tubers unless necessary, because excess surface moisture can encourage rot during storage.
Soil and care
Soil and care
Soil & care
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
0 °C (32 °F)
Care level
Moderate
Watering
Water lightly after planting so dormant tubers do not rot. Once shoots emerge, increase moisture gradually and keep soil evenly moist during growth and flowering. Water deeply at soil level once or twice weekly according to heat, rainfall, and soil type rather than sprinkling lightly every day. Containers dry faster and require regular checks. Reduce water after the first frost and keep tubers nearly dry during storage. Always avoid standing water. A thin organic mulch can reduce evaporation after the soil has warmed, but keep it away from the stems.
Soil type
Soil rich in organic matter, loose, and freely drained supports strong stems and extended flowering. It should retain even moisture during growth without remaining saturated after rain. Incorporate mature compost before planting and loosen compacted layers. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is suitable. In containers, use fertile airy potting mix in a drained pot. Avoid cold depressions, saturated clay, and sites where water gathers around the tubers. Mulch lightly only after the soil has warmed, keeping material away from emerging stems.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting. When shoots reach 15 to 20 cm, apply balanced fertilizer or a formula slightly higher in phosphorus and potassium but low in nitrogen. Repeat lightly every three to four weeks until late summer, then stop so tubers mature before storage. Excessive nitrogen produces abundant leaves, fewer flowers, and weaker stems. In containers, water before feeding and periodically flush the potting mix. Always follow the label rate. A plant producing leaves but few buds usually needs more sun or less nitrogen rather than heavier feeding.
Seasonal care
In spring, inspect the tubers, remove soft tissue, and plant after the last frost in warmed soil. Water lightly until shoots emerge. When stems reach 25 to 30 cm, pinch them to encourage branching and install discreet support. In early summer, keep soil moist, feed lightly, and monitor slugs, snails, aphids, spider mites, and earwigs. During flowering, harvest fully open flowers, remove faded blooms weekly, and tie loaded stems. Avoid wetting leaves late in the evening. In late summer, stop feeding but continue watering according to weather. After the first frost, cut stems to approximately 10 cm, label every clump, lift tubers with a fork, and allow them to dry briefly. Store them in slightly insulating material in a dark, ventilated, nearly dry place at approximately 5–10 °C. Inspect monthly, remove rotted tissue, and barely moisten the packing material only if tubers shrivel severely. Replant the following spring after frost danger passes. Keep stored material inaccessible to pets. During very hot periods, check containers daily and add thin mulch around plants in the ground without touching stems. After heavy rain, straighten supports and remove accumulated water. During storage, never seal damp tubers in a plastic bag. Gentle airflow limits condensation. If tissue must be cut away, let the wound dry before returning the clump to storage. Near the end of winter, prepare containers and potting mix before removing tubers, then gradually acclimate any shoots started indoors. Keep records of storage condition and discard a clump that becomes extensively soft rather than placing neighbouring tubers at risk.
Growing in containers
Container growing
Container growing
Recommended pot size
minimum 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 in.) in diameter
Choose a drained container at least 45 cm wide and deep for one plant; divide the three tubers among several pots to respect their 50 cm spread. Fill with fertile airy potting mix, set the tuber approximately 10 cm deep, and install support at planting time. Water lightly until shoots emerge, then keep the mix evenly moist without leaving water in the saucer. Position the pot in full sun and rotate it weekly. Pinch the young stem, feed with a low-nitrogen formula every three to four weeks, and cut flowers regularly. Protect the container from strong wind. After the first frost, cut the stems and move the pot to a cool frost-free place, or lift the tubers and store them nearly dry at 5–10 °C. In spring, renew the mix and replant only firm tubers carrying a viable crown. Keep containers and stored tubers inaccessible to pets. On a hot patio, protect the pot from heat reflected by walls and check moisture with a finger before watering. After a storm, inspect ties and straighten the support. If the clump completely fills the container, divide it in spring while retaining a viable crown portion with every section. Clean the pot before replanting and never combine the tubers with edible plants. Raise the container slightly so heavy rain can drain freely.
Growth and flowering
Size, flowering & harvest
Mature height
1 to 1.1 m (40 in.)
Width / spread
50 cm (20 in.)
Flower color
White and purple
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Fast
Bloom period
Large 20 to 25 cm decorative blooms appear successively through summer and into fall. Remove faded flower heads to support continued bud production. For arrangements, harvest when petals are nearly fully open and place stems immediately in fresh water. Consistent moisture and regular cutting help maintain the longest possible display. Colour proportions vary slightly among plants, creating natural variation in every bouquet and border grouping.
Harvest
Cut flowers early in the morning or evening when they are almost fully open and still firm. Use a clean tool, take a sufficiently long stem just above a node, and place it immediately in fresh water. Remove leaves below the waterline, recut the base, and replace the water every day or two. In autumn, harvest tubers after the first frost: label the clump, lift it with a fork, allow it to dry briefly, and store it nearly dry and frost-free. Keep flowers, vase water, and tubers inaccessible to cats and dogs. Discard any soft or badly damaged tuber tissue before storage.
Garden companions
Garden associations
Companion plants & uses
Companion plants
Combine ‘Blueberry Cheesecake’ with cream cosmos, purple salvias, tall verbenas, apricot zinnias, ageratum, and fine grasses. These plants appreciate sun and drained soil, while their colours emphasize the mix’s violet-blue-red and pale pink palette. Keep 50 cm around every dahlia and avoid vigorous neighbours that deprive tubers of moisture. Arrange heights for airflow and preserve access to supports and cut flowers. No companion neutralizes the mild toxicity of dahlias for pets, so use verified non-toxic substitutions wherever animals can reach the planting.
Plants to avoid
Frost, standing water, excessive nitrogen, shade, strong wind, slugs, snails, aphids, spider mites, earwigs, powdery mildew, and tuber rot
Garden use
Place all three ‘Blueberry Cheesecake’ dahlias in the middle or back of a sunny border, behind apricot zinnias and before fine grasses that frame the flowers without hiding them. Keep centres 50 cm apart and install discreet supports during planting. Preserve a path for watering at soil level, harvesting stems, and inspecting foliage. Burnt-pink, pale pink, soft-pale pink, and violet-blue-red shades create a natural transition between purple perennials and orange annuals. In a cutting garden, harvest blooms nearly fully open and retain enough foliage to feed the tubers. After frost, cut stems to approximately 10 cm, lift every clump separately, and immediately replace its label. One plant can occupy a large container with excellent drainage. In cold regions, frost-free storage is essential for preserving the mix. Avoid vigorous neighbours that steal moisture or restrict airflow. Repeat cosmos and salvias in small groups to connect the colours visually without hiding supports. Very thin mulch can preserve moisture, but leave every crown clear. This arrangement keeps flowers accessible throughout summer, facilitates lifting in autumn, and recreates the same atmosphere the following spring. A clear path also makes weekly deadheading, watering, and pest inspection faster and more comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How should Blueberry Cheesecake tubers be planted?
Plant all three tubers after the last frost where they receive at least six hours of sun. Choose rich, loose, freely drained soil. Examine every tuber to locate the crown carrying growth buds, then set it approximately 10 cm deep. Keep centres 50 cm apart and install support during planting. Water lightly, then increase moisture only after shoots emerge. At 25 to 30 cm tall, pinch the stem above three or four pairs of leaves to encourage branching. Keep soil moist without standing water and use low-nitrogen fertilizer. A separated tuber without a viable crown portion will not produce a plant. Mark every position so later cultivation does not damage new shoots or the underground clump.
How large are the flowers and plants?
Van Noort states that the decorative flowers reach 20 to 25 cm across. Upright plants grow approximately 100 cm tall and 50 cm wide once established. Actual size varies with warmth, sunlight, fertility, moisture, and the number of stems retained. Space tubers 50 cm apart so air circulates around the foliage. A stake or support ring installed early keeps the heavy blooms above the soil. In containers, choose a wide, stable pot. Cut fully open stems for arrangements and retain plenty of healthy foliage on every plant. Remove side buds only when fewer, exceptionally large exhibition-style blooms are preferred. Measure stem height before the first harvest so next season’s supports can be selected more accurately.
How can dahlia flowering be extended?
After the first frost, cut stems to approximately 10 cm and label every clump before lifting it carefully with a garden fork. Brush away dry soil without unnecessarily washing the tubers, remove soft tissue, and let the surface dry briefly. Place tubers in slightly insulating material in a dark, ventilated, nearly dry, frost-free location, ideally around 5 to 10 °C. Inspect them monthly. Remove rot immediately with a clean tool and barely moisten the packing material only when tubers shrivel severely. In spring, replant after the last frost only firm divisions carrying a viable crown portion. Keep the ‘Blueberry Cheesecake’ label with every clump so the coordinated mix remains identifiable.
How should the tubers be stored over winter?
Yes. The ASPCA classifies dahlias as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Exposure may cause mild gastrointestinal signs, including vomiting or diarrhoea, together with mild skin irritation. Keep leaves, stems, flowers, tubers, vase water, and debris inaccessible to animals. Do not allow a pet to dig near stored tubers, and place scraps in a closed waste container. After known or suspected ingestion, or when irritation appears, contact a veterinarian. ‘Blueberry Cheesecake’ is sold as an ornamental mix; no part should be offered as food to a person or animal. Wash hands after handling damaged plant tissue and choose a verified non-toxic alternative wherever access cannot be prevented.
Is Blueberry Cheesecake dahlia toxic?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Dahlia species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal signs, while contact can cause mild dermatitis in some animals or people. Keep plants, tubers, cut flowers, vase water, and debris inaccessible. Do not allow pets to dig in the planting area or reach the winter storage location. After known or suspected ingestion, contact a veterinarian promptly. This mix is sold as an ornamental plant and no part should be eaten. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive and wash hands after handling. Choose a verified non-toxic alternative wherever animal access cannot be prevented.
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