How to Grow Dahlia 'Park Princess'

Dahlia 'Park Princess'

Dahlia × hybridus 'Park Princess'

flower

Park Princess is a decorative dahlia cultivar known for its stunning bi-color blooms featuring deep burgundy or purple petals edged with pink or white tips. These medium to large flowers typically reach 4-6 inches in diameter and bloom prolifically from mid-summer through fall. The plant grows as an herbaceous perennial often treated as an annual in colder climates, reaching 3-4 feet in height.

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Example Dahlia 'Park Princess' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Dahlia 'Park Princess'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Dahlia 'Park Princess' blooms
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dahlia 'Park Princess' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates

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Water: Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season; water deeply 1-2 inches per week, more during heat; reduce watering in fall as plants prepare for dormancy

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-90 days from planting tuber to first blooms

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Planting depth: 4-6 inches (tuber eye pointing upward)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure perlite or sand for drainage bone meal at planting

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 7-10; can be grown as an annual in zones 3-6 with tuber storage over winter

7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

Tuber Sprouting

2-3 weeks

Dahlia tuber begins to sprout eyes and develop initial shoots after being planted and warmed by soil temperatures of 60-65°F

Plant after last frost when soil has warmed; keep soil evenly moist but not soggy; stake or support emerging shoots if in windy location

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Leafy stems and foliage develop rapidly; plant reaches 12-24 inches tall with lush green compound leaves and branching lateral stems

Pinch back the main stem at 12 inches to encourage bushier, more branched growth and more flowers; stake tall varieties; maintain consistent moisture and weekly feeding

Budding & Early Flowering

2-3 weeks

Flower buds appear at stem tips; first blooms of characteristic burgundy-pink bi-color flowers emerge and gradually increase in number

Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering; feed with balanced fertilizer weekly or every two weeks; ensure adequate water during bud formation

Peak Bloom

8-12 weeks

Plant produces abundant 4-6 inch decorative flowers with deep color and excellent form; continuous blooming cycle throughout mid-summer to frost

Deadhead regularly; feed with balanced or slightly lower nitrogen fertilizer; monitor for pests and diseases; harvest flowers for arrangements to extend bloom production

Senescence & Dormancy

Variable; dormancy lasts through winter

After first frost, foliage blackens and dies back; tuber transitions to dormancy underground and accumulates carbohydrates for next season

In zones 7-10, cut back spent foliage to soil level after first hard frost; stop watering; in zones 3-6, dig tubers carefully after foliage dies, clean, dry, and store at 45-50°F in peat moss or vermiculite

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Marigolds Salvia Cosmos Coreopsis Russian sage Black-eyed Susan Ornamental grasses Lavender

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Potatoes Tomatoes (can share similar pests)

Common Pests

Spray foliage with strong water stream; use neem oil or miticide if severe; increase humidity and avoid overhead watering stress
Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; avoid turf treatments
Spray with water; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; attract beneficial insects like ladybugs
Remove affected flower buds; use reflective mulches; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure good air circulation
and
Hand-pick at night; use copper tape barriers; apply diatomaceous earth around base; beer traps; minimize overhead watering

Uses

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Edible Flowers

Culinary

Dahlia petals are edible with a slightly sweet, mild flavor and can be used as garnish for salads, desserts, and beverages, or crystallized for decoration. [source]

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Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

Park Princess is an excellent choice for fresh cut flower arrangements, bouquets, and floral design due to its striking bi-color form, long stems, and vase life of 7-10 days. [source]

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Garden Ornament & Display

Household

The plant serves as a stunning focal point in garden borders, raised beds, and containers, providing continuous color from summer through fall frost. [source]

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Pollinator Attractant

Wildlife

Dahlia flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making them valuable for supporting garden ecosystems and increasing fruit/seed production in vegetable gardens. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

In some traditional medicine systems, dahlia tubers have been used to support digestion and as a mild diuretic, though modern scientific evidence is limited. [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 stems are fully hydrated; use sharp knife or pruners to make clean cuts at 45-degree angle; remove lower foliage; condition in cool water for several hours before arranging. Dahlias typically last 7-10 days in a vase. Deadhead spent blooms on the plant to promote continuous flowering throughout the season.

Fun Facts

🌱 Dahlias are native to Mexico and were sacred flowers to the Aztec civilization, who used them for food and ceremonies; the Spanish conquistadors introduced them to Europe in the 16th century.
🌱 The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico and also the official flower of Seattle, Washington; over 42,000 registered dahlia varieties exist worldwide with endless color and form combinations.
🌱 Modern dahlias like 'Park Princess' are believed to be descended from hybridization between Dahlia pinnata and Dahlia coccinea species, a process refined over centuries of selective breeding.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Perennial Pinch Back

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