Holland Festival

Plant Holland Festival Dinnerplate Dahlia tubers approximately 2 inches (5 cm) deep, with the growing point or “eye” facing upward. The important thing is not to bury the tuber excessively deep. Dahlia tubers are relatively shallow-planted compared with many spring-flowering bulbs, and the crown should remain close to the soil surface. A planting depth of around 2 inches is commonly recommended specifically for Holland Festival.
Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the tuber comfortably, position it horizontally or with the eye facing upward, and cover it with about 2 inches of soil. Once the plant begins growing, you can gradually add a little more soil or mulch if necessary, while avoiding burying the emerging stem too deeply. Holland Festival produces large flowers, so it is also a good idea to install a stake when planting to provide support as the plant grows.

Yes, deadheading Holland Festival Dinnerplate Dahlias encourages the plant to produce more flowers. Once a flower has faded, removing it prevents the plant from putting unnecessary energy into producing seeds and encourages it to continue developing new flower buds instead. Regular deadheading is particularly useful for dahlias because they can continue flowering from midsummer until the first frost when growing conditions are suitable.
For the best results, check your Holland Festival plants regularly and remove faded flowers as soon as they have finished blooming. Rather than simply removing the flower head, cut the spent flower back to a suitable leaf joint lower down the stem. This encourages the plant to branch and produce additional flowering stems. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish a spent dahlia flower from a developing bud: unopened buds tend to look rounded, while spent flowers become more pointed. Regular deadheading throughout the flowering season will help keep your Holland Festival Dinnerplate Dahlias looking tidy while encouraging a longer and more abundant display.

For Holland Festival Dinnerplate Dahlia tubers, allow approximately 24 inches (60 cm) of space between plants. This gives each dahlia enough room to develop its foliage and large flowers without becoming excessively crowded. Holland Festival is a large-flowered dahlia that can grow to around 3 feet tall or more, so adequate spacing is especially important for good airflow, sunlight, and access for watering and maintenance.
When planting Holland Festival alongside other bulbs, measure the distance from the center of the dahlia tuber to the center of the neighboring plant, rather than simply leaving 24 inches between the edges of the planting holes. You can plant smaller bulbs closer to the dahlia because many spring bulbs finish flowering before the dahlia reaches its full summer size. However, avoid overcrowding the area with other large plants. Giving your Holland Festival Dinnerplate Dahlia sufficient space will improve air circulation, allow the foliage to receive plenty of sunlight, and make it easier to stake and care for the plant throughout the growing season.