Dahlia Melody Dora Decorative Dahlia is a summer-flowering bulb, and from the heart of summer to the chill of late autumn, this decorative dahlia blooms in elegant 5-inch salmon-orange fully double flowers with a golden glow at their center and symmetrically arranged broad, flat to slightly curled petals. Perched on stems that just won't quit, come rain or shine, the pollinator-friendly flowers invite bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds over for a months-long garden party. And these bright, long-lasting blooms make for picture-perfect bouquet stars for late-season bouquets and floral arrangements. And they're a garden gift that keeps on giving: the more you snip, the more they flourish.
Melody Dora is a Dahlia hybrid with the common name decorative dahlia. It is a clump-forming plant that's a gem in containers. It also shines in beds and borders, and while it's a knockout on its own, its true charisma is unlocked when it's planted in groups.
Dahlia thrives under the sun or in part shade, shielded from harsh gusts of wind and planted in rich soil that lets excess water escape. Yet, dahlia is no delicate flower; it adapts across soil typesbe it clay, loam, or sandy. In the heat of summer, a little shade may be a welcome respite, though. Keeping the soil moist without overdoing it, pinching the tips for fuller growth, and removing old blooms to make way for new ones are all part of the dahlias' care manual. A heads-up for pet owners, though: it's best to keep your furry friends at a distance.
NOTE: In Zones 3-7, the bulbs will need to be lifted before the first frost and overwintered inside. But dahlias can be grown as annuals in all Zones.
