Pinnate Dahlia
Dahlia pinnata
W. Bulach
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Dahlia
- Species:
- Dahlia pinnata
- USDA Symbol:
- DAPI3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, white, lavender, cream, maroon
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Achatodes zeae, Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), rosy rustic (Hydraecia micacea), Saddleback Caterpillar Moth (Acharia stimulea), Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to upland regions with volcanic soil
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at 65-70°F with no pretreatment required. Most cultivated dahlias are propagated vegetatively from tubers or cuttings.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI