How to Grow Dahlia 'Camano Duke'
Dahlia 'Camano Duke'
Dahlia × pinnata 'Camano Duke'
flowerDahlia 'Camano Duke' is a decorative dahlia variety prized for its large, fully double blooms in deep red to burgundy tones with purple undertones. This mid-sized dahlia produces abundant flowers throughout the growing season and is popular with florists and garden enthusiasts for cut flower arrangements. It grows 3-4 feet tall and flowers reliably from mid-summer through fall.
When should you plant Dahlia 'Camano Duke' in your zone?
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Example Dahlia 'Camano Duke' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Dahlia 'Camano Duke'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Dahlia 'Camano Duke' blooms
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dahlia 'Camano Duke' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3b-10a; best performance in zones 5-9 where tubers can be lifted and stored over winter or left in ground
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Get my Dahlia 'Camano Duke' timeline →Growth Stages
Tuber Dormancy & Sprouting
2-3 weeksDahlia tubers are dormant, wrinkled rhizomes. After planting, root development begins underground before any visible green growth emerges.
Plant tubers after last frost when soil has warmed to 60°F+. Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy to prevent rot. Protect from cutworms with collars if needed.
Seedling & Early Growth
3-4 weeksShoots emerge from tubers and develop 2-4 pairs of leaves. Stems are tender and thin initially, with minimal branching.
Provide full sun immediately. Pinch off the top growing tip when plant reaches 12 inches to encourage bushy branching. Install stakes for future support now.
Vegetative & Branching
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple side stems and creates a fuller form with many leaves. Height increases to 2-3 feet. Buds begin forming at stem tips.
Continue supporting with stakes or cages as plant grows. Water consistently and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or higher-potassium fertilizer. Remove lower leaves if they touch soil to reduce disease.
Flowering & Blooming
8-12 weeks or until first frostLarge double burgundy-red flowers 4-5 inches across open in abundance. Blooms appear continuously from mid-summer through fall frost.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooming. Cut flowers in early morning when fully open for longest vase life. Continue watering and fertilizing to sustain production.
Senescence & Dormancy Prep
2-4 weeks before frostGrowth slows as temperatures drop in fall. Foliage may yellow or show frost damage. Tubers underground begin storing energy reserves.
In zones 3-8, cut stems to 4 inches after first frost and dig tubers carefully. Clean, dry, and store in cool (40-50°F), dark conditions in peat or sand. In zones 9-10, may leave in ground if well-mulched, though lifting is still recommended.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Increase humidity.
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Improve air circulation, water at soil level only. Apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate fungicide. Remove heavily affected leaves.
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Use yellow sticky traps, remove affected buds, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Ensure well-draining soil, avoid overwatering, remove infected foliage, lift and dry tubers thoroughly before storage.
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Remove by hand at night, set beer traps, use copper barriers, apply food-grade diatomaceous earth.
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Apply cutworm collars around seedlings, use beneficial nematodes, hand-pick at night, mulch lightly.
Uses
Decorative garnish for desserts and plated dishes
CulinaryDahlia petals are edible and add visual appeal and subtle, slightly spicy flavor to cakes, salads, and gourmet plates. They have been used in decorative culinary applications for centuries. [source]
Premium cut flowers and floral arrangements
Household'Camano Duke' produces abundant, long-lasting blooms ideal for bouquets, wedding arrangements, and floral design. The deep burgundy color complements many color schemes and is highly valued by florists. [source]
Flower pressing and dried flower projects
CraftDahlia blooms can be pressed or dried for use in floral crafts, artwork, and mixed-media projects. The double petals retain structure well when properly dried. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifeDahlias attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies throughout their long blooming season, providing essential nectar and pollen sources late in the growing season when other flowers are fading. [source]
Traditional herbal and ornamental applications
MedicinalIn some traditional medicine systems, dahlia tubers have been used to support digestive health and reduce inflammation, though scientific evidence is limited. Primarily valued as an ornamental. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning when fully open and before heat of day for longest vase life (7-10 days). Cut at 45° angle just above a leaf node, leaving foliage on plant. Remove lower leaves from cut stems. Change vase water every 2-3 days. Dahlias make excellent cut flowers and are longer-lasting when cut at the right stage of bloom.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dahlias are native to Mexico and were cultivated by the Aztecs, who called them 'acocotli.' They weren't introduced to Europe until the 16th century and became wildly popular in Victorian gardens.
- 🌱 'Camano Duke' was named after Camano Island in Washington State and is a registered cultivar in the American Dahlia Society's official registry, making it a stable, reliable variety.
- 🌱 Dahlias can produce hundreds of blooms per season and are cut-and-come-again flowers—the more you harvest, the more the plant produces, making them exceptionally rewarding for gardeners and florists alike.
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