Where to Buy Dahlias Near Me – A Complete Guide

Dahlias are one of the most popular flowers for gardens known for their beautiful colors and variety of forms. As their popularity grows, more people are looking to add dahlias to their own gardens. But where can you find these lovely flowers for sale near you? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about where to buy dahlia tubers plants, and cut flowers so you can get growing!

A Bit About Dahlias

First, a quick overview of these fantastic flowers. Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America and come in a huge range of sizes, shapes, and colors. The flowers can be as small as 2 inches across to giant 10-inch “dinnerplate” blooms. They bloom from mid-summer until the first frost in an extraordinary diversity of colors including red, pink, orange, purple, yellow, white and even multicolored.

Beyond beautiful blooms, dahlias are low maintenance and easy to grow The tubers survive winter dormant in the ground in most climates, to re-sprout again the next summer For cold winter areas, you can dig up the tubers and store them over winter.

With this incredible variety and ease of care, it’s no wonder dahlias have become a go-to garden flower. Now let’s look at where you can find them.

Where to Buy Dahlia Tubers

Dahlia tubers are the root sections from which the plant will sprout and grow. Buying tubers is the most affordable way to get started growing dahlias. Here are some of the top places to buy dahlia tubers:

Online Retailers

There are a number of online specialty retailers that sell dahlia tubers. These stores offer a wide selection of dahlia types, sizes, and colors. Many provide details on each variety like height, bloom type, and color. Popular online dahlia tuber retailers include:

• Swan Island Dahlias – One of the largest selections of dahlia tubers with over 425 varieties.

• Eden Brothers – A family-owned company with 100+ dahlia tuber varieties.

• Brent and Becky’s Bulbs – A wide selection of unique and heirloom dahlias.

• Burpee – Offers individual tubers and kits for growing dahlias.

Most online stores ship the tubers at the proper planting time for your region. Order early for best selection.

Big Box Stores

For those who like to see products in person before buying, most big box home improvement stores carry dahlia tubers in spring:

• Home Depot – Stocks over a dozen dahlia tuber varieties including single, double, and cactus flower types.

• Lowe’s – Carries 10+ types of dahlia tubers including the popular ‘Cafe au Lait’ and ‘Hollyhill Spider’s Web’ varieties. Check garden centers in early spring.

While selection is more limited, the advantage is you can pick up tubers at these stores when buying other gardening supplies.

Local Nurseries

Independent garden centers and nurseries in your area often sell dahlia tubers in the spring. These small businesses may carry rare and unique varieties you won’t find elsewhere. Support local and ask what dahlia tubers they’ll have in stock this season.

No matter where you buy them, look for plump, firm tubers without shriveling or mold. Large tubers with visible “eyes” will grow best.

Where to Buy Dahlia Plants

For those who don’t want to wait for tubers to grow, you can buy potted dahlia plants ready to transplant:

Garden Centers

Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock potted dahlia plants once the weather warms up. You’ll find these in the garden center areas. Dahlia plants are annuals, so look for them alongside other annual flowers.

Flower Markets

Flower markets and open-air markets often have booths selling annuals and potted perennials in the spring and summer. Check out local farmer’s markets and flea markets to find dahlia plants from local growers.

Online Stores

Several mail order plant retailers ship potted dahlia plants. Since the plants are perishable, most only ship at certain times of year when weather is suitable.

• Burpee – Ships potted dahlia plants April through June.

• Brecks – Offers potted dahlias that ship April to May.

• House of Wesley – Sells potted dahlia plants shipping in spring/early summer.

Order early as supply of container plants is limited compared to tubers. Make sure to plant dahlias shortly after receiving as they can become root bound if left in pots too long.

Local Nurseries

Independent nurseries and garden centers that grow their own plants are another great source for potted dahlia plants. Check out the annuals section of your local nurseries in spring and early summer. Support small business owners in your community.

Potted dahlias establish quickly, so you’ll get flowers faster than tubers. But tubers often produce larger plants overall. Either way, you’ll soon be enjoying vibrant dahlias.

Where to Buy Dahlia Flowers

Once they begin blooming, you can find fresh cut dahlia stems at:

Flower Markets

Flower markets with multiple growers like the famous Dutch flower auctions are go-to places to purchase fresh cut dahlias in a variety of colors. Market stall prices can be lower than florist prices.

Local Nurseries

Many independent nurseries offer bunches of freshly cut dahlias from their own gardens for sale. Check out the cut flowers on display at garden centers near you.

Grocery Stores

Some higher end grocery stores and supermarkets carry fresh cut flowers including dahlias, especially in late summer and fall.

Online Florists

Retailers offering flower delivery via overnight shipping sell fresh cut dahlia stems. Choose based on bloom color, variety, and stem length.

• 1-800-Flowers – Arrangements with dahlias available for nationwide delivery.

• Bloomscape – Ships unarranged bundles of fresh cut dahlias.

• The Bouqs Company – Offers same day and next day dahlia delivery in select areas.

The gorgeous blooms of dahlia flowers bring a bit of summer inside. Display in a vase to enjoy their beauty.

Overwintering Dahlias

One of the great advantages of dahlias is you can keep the tubers year after year if you live where it freezes. Here’s how to overwinter dahlia tubers:

• Allow plants to die back after frost.

• Cut back stems, dig up tubers, and knock off excess soil.

• Leave to dry out for a day or two.

• Remove stem and roots, leaving just the main tuber.

• Pack tubers in vermiculite, peat moss, or wood shavings. Store in cool, dark place.

• Check periodically for shriveling or rotting. Discard any that show problems.

• In early spring, replant the dormant tubers in the garden.

With proper overwintering, you can get years of growth from your dahlia tubers.

10 Top Places to Buy Dahlias

To recap, here are my top 10 recommended places to purchase dahlias:

1. Swan Island Dahlias – Extensive mail order tuber selection

2. Home Depot – Convenient tubers and plants at garden centers

3. Eden Brothers – Family company with rare heirloom tubers

4. Burpee – Tubers, plants, and flower seeds available

5. Lowe’s – Another option for tubers and potted dahlias

6. Local Nurseries – Great for potted plants and specialty varieties

7. Farmer’s Markets – Source for plants and cut flowers from local growers

8. Online Florists – Order gorgeous cut stems for flower arrangements

9. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs – Unique and cutting edge dahlia tuber varieties

10. Flower Markets – Buy bundles of freshly cut stems at wholesale prices

The next time you’re looking to add dahlias to your garden or flower arrangements, turn to this list for where to buy top quality dahlias near you. With so many sources, it’s easy to find beautiful dahlias!