Dahlias are really pretty when they are put in a vase with other flowers. Their bright colors go well with almost any arrangement. Place these tuberous plants in your vegetable garden, however, and theyll be a bit less neighborly. Three of the worst dahlia bedfellows come from the brassica family: broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Advertisement.
The first issue between these plants arises the moment they touch soil. All four need acidic soil, which is usually between 6 and 7 on the pH scale. If you plant them all together, they will be competing for nutrients all the time. Putting plants far enough apart could help with this problem to some extent, but then there are pests. Dahlias come with a lot of insect problems, with aphids being particularly fond of the flower. And these annoying bugs just happen to enjoy nibbling on those three brassica vegetables, too. Pairing them all together essentially creates an aphid-friendly buffet.
Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage share diseases with the flower as well. This includes powdery mildew and a fungus that causes wilting. When grown in close proximity, brassicas and dahlias will pass these diseases from one to another. Advertisement.
Can You Plant Dahlias With Vegetables? A Guide to Companion Planting
Vegetable gardens are prettier and a lot more fun when they include flowers as well as vegetables. Tulips and dahlias make ideal companions for vegetables in the garden. But can you successfully plant dahlias alongside your tomatoes, peppers lettuce and other veggies? The answer is yes with some planning and care, growing dahlias and vegetables together can be mutually beneficial.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of planting dahlias with vegetables, considerations for optimal growth, and tips for success.
Why Plant Dahlias With Vegetables?
There are several advantages to incorporating dahlias into your edible garden:
-
Adds beauty and color. With their vibrant hues and showy blooms, dahlias bring aesthetic appeal to the vegetable garden. Their striking flowers make harvesting veggies so much more enjoyable.
-
Attracts pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects are drawn to dahlias. These pollinators can then help pollinate vegetable flowers and increase yields.
-
Repels pests. Some pests like rabbits, deer, and rodents tend to avoid plants with strong scents like dahlias. Interplanting dahlias as a border can help deter these pests from your veggies.
-
Provides cut flowers. Dahlias make long-lasting and beautiful cut flowers to brighten your home. Having them right in the vegetable garden makes bouquets easy to assemble.
-
Maximizes space. By interplanting dahlias and vegetables, you can grow more plants in the same amount of garden space.
-
Enhances soil health. The deep roots of dahlias help break up compacted soil. As the plants decay after frost, they add organic matter to the soil.
Considerations for Growing Dahlias and Vegetables Together
Sunlight: Dahlias thrive in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Make sure to situate them where they won’t shade sun-loving vegetables like tomatoes.
Soil: Rich, well-draining soil amended with compost benefits both dahlias and vegetables. Target a soil pH around 6.5.
Spacing: Allow enough space between dahlias and vegetable plants to prevent crowding as both grow. Tall dahlias may need to be 1-2 feet from veggies.
Water: Dahlias prefer consistent moisture. Group with veggies sharing similar watering needs, like peppers and tomatoes.
Nutrients: Use a balanced organic fertilizer that provides nutrition for both flowering dahlias and fruiting/leafy vegetables.
Pests & Disease: Monitor for any infestations and treat accordingly. Consider interplanting with pest-repelling herbs like basil.
Timing: Stagger planting if dahlias and vegetables have different maturation rates to prevent overcrowding later in the season.
Tips for Successfully Growing Dahlias and Vegetables Together
Here are some tips to ensure your dahlias and vegetables thrive when planted together:
-
Conduct a soil test to determine any amendments needed for optimal fertility. Incorporate compost before planting.
-
Use dahlia varieties with shorter height and bushy habit to avoid shading vegetables. Pompon and ball dahlias work well.
-
Plant tall vegetables like corn or trellised beans on the north side of the bed so they don’t shade dahlias.
-
Use stakes, cages, or trellises to support both dahlias and vining veggies like tomatoes for better air circulation.
-
Mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds. Leave space between mulch and plant stems.
-
Monitor for pests like aphids, slugs, or mites and take action early before infestations spread.
-
Deadhead spent dahlia flowers to encourage more blooms. Prune excess foliage to improve air circulation.
-
Group quick-maturing salad greens and radishes near early dahlia varieties so both can flourish.
Great Vegetables to Grow with Dahlias
Here are some of the top vegetable varieties that grow well alongside dahlias:
-
Cherry tomatoes – Shorter growing types won’t compete for sunlight.
-
Salad greens – Lettuce, kale, spinach, arugula, and other greens do well near dahlias.
-
Green onions and chives – These herbs complement dahlias nicely.
-
Bush beans – Pole beans can grow up supports next to dahlias.
-
Beets, carrots, radishes – Won’t disrupt dahlia roots.
-
Peppers – Compact varieties work well; watch for shade on seedlings.
-
Peas – Plant on north side of bed away from dahlias.
-
Herbs like basil, parsley, dill – Help attract beneficial insects.
Get Creative With Your Dahlia and Vegetable Garden!
When planned properly, combining dahlias and vegetables can be a beautiful pairing. Try mingling dahlias into existing vegetable beds or create decorative beds dedicated to both. Incorporate structures like trellises and arbors to support vining veggies and dahlias together. Let your creativity run wild!
The vibrant colors and forms of dahlias interspersed with fruits, flowers, and foliage of vegetables make for anabundant and visually appealing garden. With a little forethought about spacing, sunlight, and watering, you can successfully grow dahlias and vegetables together and enjoy the ornamental and edible bounty.
Favorable flower matches for brassicas
While dahlias might not be a good choice, it is possible to grow flowers next to plants in the brassica family. There are a number of flowers that can make your vegetable row look nice and help it grow. Nasturtium is one of the best choices. Compared to our three brassica vegetables, this flower usually grows shorter. The extra ground cover cools the soil and helps it hold on to water in the summer. Advertisement.
Nasturtium also serves as a great pest deterrent, as does yarrow. This flowering plant attracts a number of beneficial insects, including those that attack brassica-loving pests. Cabbage moths can be particularly harmful, not only to its namesake plant but to broccoli and cauliflower, too. Those moths, however, have an enemy in certain wasp species. Coincidentally, its the same wasps that are attracted to the alluring scent of yarrow. Plant the flower near your crop, and youll be gifted with a natural defense.
Dahlia Growing 101: Plant, Support, and Prune (Without Killing Them!)
FAQ
What vegetables grow well with dahlias?
What not to plant near dahlias?
Where should I plant dahlias in my garden?
Can you plant dahlias next to vegetables?
You can plant dahlias next to vegetables. However, most vegetables are competitors for nutrients, making them unsuitable to pair with dahlia. Vegetables are also prone to attracting dahlia-preying pests, such as aphids and slugs. Our personal favorite vegetables to pair with dahlias are bush beans. Can You Plant Dahlias In Pots With Other Plants?
What plants pair with dahlias?
The best companion plants for dahlias include nasturtiums, coneflowers, comfrey, geraniums, and herbs, such as mint, coriander, and rosemary. However, the list of dahlia companion plants is quite extensive. There are more than 50 different plants to pair. To understand which plants best pair with dahlias, you have to consider their characteristics.
Can dahlias grow together?
There are a few vegetables that can be good companions, including: beans, peas, and cucumbers are all good choices since they don’t need a lot of watering and can benefit from the shade provided by the dahlia foliage. Can you plant dahlias close together? Yes, dahlias can be planted close together, just make sure to give them enough space.
Do dahlias grow well in pots?
If you direct your attention to plants that will not crowd out or compete with dahlias but have the same exposure and watering requirements, you will be off to a good start. Some of the companions below will even plant well with dahlias in pots or containers.
Do dahlias need full sun?
Dahlias are tall plants – so, they pair well with shorter plants. The two complement each other, shorter plants that prefer partial shade will benefit the most while protecting the taller dahlia from being blocked from full sun exposure (which is essential for their growth). Pair dahlias with pest-repelling plants.
Can you plant tomatoes and dahlias together?
Since they are both susceptible to the same illnesses and pests, do not plant tomatoes and dahlias together. These are poor companion plants for dahlias because they can cause both plants to suffer damage in one fell swoop. To still be able to plant both in your garden you need proper space between them.