American Sun Dahlia Tubers

American Sun: Decorative Dahlia Tubers

American Sun adds an explosion of yellow glory to summer borders and containers. Her fully double blooms which reach up to 15cm across are held on strong stems above dark green foliage. These luscious yellow flowers create a radiant display in the garden and bring a burst of summer sunshine into the house when added to posies and bouquets.
Browse our other Decorative Dahlias or see our full range of Dahlias here

Features:

• Colour: bright yellow
• Flower size: 15cm
• Type: decorative dahlia
• Cutting: yes, long-lasting in a vase
• Height/spread: 90cm x 60cm
• Flowering: July to October
• Planting months: end February to July

Growing American Sun Dahlias

Like all dahlias, American Sun thrives in deep, fertile soil in a sunny spot. She only reaches a fairly compact 90cm, so is best placed in containers on the patio or in the middle of borders where her fantastic blooms will be the stars of the show.

In windy conditions, the flowers will need staking and this is best done earlier rather than later, preferably at planting time. Dahlias dislike dry conditions, so keep well watered in dry spells, especially when grown in pots. She will always flower that little bit better if there is a bit of soluble food in the watering can once every couple of weeks.

Planting Companions

This sunny soul takes pride of place at the front of a hot border, combined with other compact sizzling dahlias like Bishop of Llandaff, Sylvia and Garden Wonder. She also looks sublime alongside late summer perennials such as Salvias, Rudbeckias and Heleniums, or planted amidst drifts of grasses like Stipa tenuissima.

Pot up tubers undercover in large containers filled with multi-purpose potting compost in March or April and plant outside after the last frost in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Water well and mulch after planting. Alternatively, plant tubers outside in mid to late April.

Did You Know?

American Sun was raised by Peter Komen in the Netherlands in 2006 and is a member of the Decorative Dahlias group which benefit from fully double flowers on strong stems. Flower size in this category ranges from 8cm to 25cm, with American Sun somewhere in the middle with blooms that can reach 15cm.

Decorative dahlias are fabulous for arrangements with their sumptuous flowers and robust stems. Cut early in the morning when the flowers are almost open. Trim stems for a second time just before arranging and refresh the water regularly.

Dahlias originate from the mountains of Central America and Mexico. Reaching Europe in 1789, they were named after Swedish scientist, Andreas Dahl. Their vibrant blooms were much sought after, especially in the UK where they became enormously popular after the Great Exhibition of 1851.