Dahlia 'Sunshine' Dark Leaf Single is a summer-flowering bulb, and from the heart of summer to the chill of late autumn, this single-flowered dahlia blooms in masses of radiant bicolor flowers with a neat lineup of flat to slightly cupped overlapping golden yellow ray florets having a dark orange center. Perched on stems that just won't quit, come rain or shine, the pollinator-friendly flowers peek over ferny mahogany-colored foliage, inviting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds over for a months-long garden party. These enduring flowers make picture-perfect late-season bouquets and floral arrangements. And they?re a garden gift that keeps on giving: the more you snip, the more they flourish.
'Sunshine' is a Dahlia hybrid with the common name dark leaf single 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 full 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.
