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Dormant tuber
Asteraceae
Coordinated combination of three decorative dahlias
Van Noort
‘Dolce Amore’ Dahlia Mix
From bulb to bloom
Common name‘Dolce Amore’ decorative dahlia mix
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusDahlia
SpeciesHorticultural hybrids
CultivarDolce Amore Mix
Bulb typeDormant tuber
Botanical nameDahlia
Quantity per pack3 tubers
‘Dolce Amore’ Dahlia Mix (Dahlia) combines three tubers of two-tone decorative dahlias in a warm, shifting palette. Van Noort describes scarlet red and salmon shades carried by double flowers with densely packed petals. Plants reach approximately 100 cm tall and 50 cm wide, with upright growth and green foliage. This coordinated mix adds depth to sunny borders and supplies long stems for arrangements. Prolific flowering begins in summer and can continue until the first frost when blooms are harvested regularly. Each plant may express the palette differently, creating contrast without losing visual harmony.
Plant all three tubers in spring after every danger of frost, where they receive at least six hours of direct sun. Set each tuber horizontally approximately 10 cm deep, with its crown and eyes facing upward, in rich, loose, freely drained soil. Keep centres 50 cm apart. Water lightly after planting, then increase moisture as shoots develop without saturating the ground. Pinch young stems above three or four pairs of leaves to encourage branching. Low-nitrogen feeding and supports installed early produce balanced growth. Leave open space around each plant for airflow and convenient access when cutting the substantial double flowers.
Harvest flowers when they are almost fully open because dahlias continue opening very little after cutting. Remove faded blooms as well to encourage new buds until frost. After the first frost, cut stems to approximately 10 cm, lift every clump carefully, and label the tubers before storage. Allow them to dry briefly, then keep them in a dark, ventilated, cool, frost-free location. Van Noort assigns this mix to hardiness Zone 8, so it is grown as an annual in cold regions. Dahlias may cause mild digestive upset or skin irritation in cats and dogs; keep plants, tubers, cut flowers, vase water, and debris beyond their reach.
Light and life cycle
In the garden
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- Tender perennial grown as an annual in cold climates
- Hardiness
- Zone 8; lift the tuber in colder regions
Planting and establishment
Planting guide
Planting & establishment
Planting depth
10 cm (4 in.)
Spacing / density
50 cm (20 in.) between plants
Planting period
May to early June once soil is warm
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
Moisture
Even moisture during growth; nearly dry storage
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
at least 45 cm (18 in.) in diameter and depth
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
100 cm (40 in.)
Width / spread
50 cm (20 in.) per clump
Flower color
Scarlet red and salmon
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous after frost
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Upright, branching, and bushy after pinching
Bloom period
Flowering begins in summer and continues until frost when plants receive full sun and flowers are cut regularly. All three tubers produce double decorative blooms in scarlet-red and salmon shades. Harvest stems when flowers are almost fully open because dahlias open very little after cutting. Remove faded flowers at their base without damaging neighbouring buds. Consistent moisture, low-nitrogen feeding, and sturdy supports sustain production through successive flowering waves.
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 ‘Dolce Amore’ 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 scarlet-red and salmon 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 ‘Dolce Amore’ 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, salmon, soft-salmon, and scarlet-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 Dolce Amore dahlias 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.
When do Dolce Amore dahlias bloom?
Flowering generally begins in summer and continues until frost when plants receive full sun and flowers are cut regularly. The three tubers produce double decorative blooms in scarlet-red and salmon shades. Exact timing and stem count vary with warmth, sunlight, moisture, and every tuber’s vigour. To extend production, harvest flowers when almost fully open and remove faded blooms weekly. Keep soil evenly moist, feed with a low-nitrogen formula, and support the stems. A newly planted tuber may begin later or produce fewer stems during establishment. Each plant can express the two-tone palette differently, so natural variation is expected. Scarlet and salmon proportions may vary slightly from one plant to another.
How should the tubers be stored over winter?
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 ‘Dolce Amore’ label with every clump so the coordinated mix remains identifiable.
Are Dolce Amore dahlias toxic?
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. ‘Dolce Amore’ 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.
How can more flowers be produced for cutting?
Place the dahlias in full sun, keep centres 50 cm apart, and pinch young stems at 25 to 30 cm tall to encourage several branches. Install supports early, keep soil evenly moist, and use low-nitrogen fertilizer every three to four weeks during active growth. Harvest flowers when almost fully open, early in the morning or evening, cutting each stem just above a node. Remove every faded flower weekly as well; each cut encourages the plant to form new buds. Avoid excessive nitrogen, shade, and dry periods. Replace vase water regularly and keep arrangements inaccessible to cats and dogs. Stop feeding in late summer so tubers can mature before frost and winter storage.
Wildlife and pets
Wildlife & precautions
Supporting wildlife
The double flowers of ‘Dolce Amore’ may receive insects, but their densely filled centres are less accessible than single dahlias. To provide more nectar and pollen, combine them with cosmos, single zinnias, salvias, or ageratum. Avoid insecticides on open flowers and expect activity to vary with weather. Insect visits do not prove safety for domestic animals, so keep every plant part beyond the reach of pets that chew vegetation.
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