How to Grow Dinnerplate Dahlia 'Emory Paul'

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Dinnerplate Dahlia 'Emory Paul'

Dahlia × hybrida 'Emory Paul'

flower

Dinnerplate Dahlia 'Emory Paul' is a large-flowered decorative dahlia cultivar producing massive blooms up to 12 inches across with full, layered petals in soft peachy-pink tones. This spectacular specimen dahlia is prized by gardeners and florists for its exceptional size, form, and color. It grows as a tender perennial from tubers and thrives in warm-season gardens.

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Example Dinnerplate Dahlia 'Emory Paul' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Dinnerplate Dahlia 'Emory Paul'
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Dinnerplate Dahlia 'Emory Paul' blooms
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dinnerplate Dahlia 'Emory Paul' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (minimum 6 hours)

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season; reduce watering after flowering begins. Water at soil level to minimize disease.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-90 days from planting to first flowers

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Planting depth: 4-6 inches deep for tubers

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure perlite or coarse sand for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 8-10 are ideal; elsewhere, grow as an annual or lift tubers in fall for winter storage

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

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Growth Stages

Tuber Dormancy & Sprouting

2-4 weeks

Tubers are stored dormant over winter or spring; shoots begin emerging from the tuber after planting in warm soil (minimum 60°F)

Plant tubers in spring after soil warms and frost danger passes. Keep soil warm and lightly moist. Provide protection from slugs and cutworms at emergence.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops sturdy stems with feathery green foliage; side shoots branch out; plant grows rapidly to mature height (3-4 feet typical for 'Emory Paul')

Stake and tie stems early to support giant blooms. Pinch main growing tip when plant reaches 12 inches to encourage bushier form and more flower production. Feed weekly with balanced fertilizer.

Bud Formation & Development

2-3 weeks

Flower buds appear at stem tips; buds are tight and gradually enlarge; secondary buds form on lateral flower stems

For largest dinnerplate blooms, remove all side buds (disbudding), leaving only the terminal bud per stem. This redirects energy to maximum flower size. Continue regular feeding; water consistently.

Flowering

8-12 weeks or until frost

Massive 10-14 inch blooms open in soft peachy-pink with full, layered decorative petals; first flowers typically appear mid-summer; blooming continues until frost

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut flowers in early morning for best vase life (can last 10-14 days indoors). Stake as needed as flowers add weight to stems.

Decline & Tuber Maturation

Until frost (variable)

After first frost, foliage blackens; plant senesces; energy moves to tubers which harden and mature for storage

In zones 7-8, lift tubers after frost kills foliage. Dig carefully, cure in cool dry location for 2-3 weeks, then store in peat moss or sand in cool (40-50°F), dark location. In zones 9-10, can leave in ground or lift for cleaning and storage.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Cosmos Coreopsis Marigolds Salvia Rudbeckia Sedum Russian sage

Avoid planting near:

Fennel (allelopathic) Potatoes (share pest vulnerability) Tomatoes (share similar pest and disease issues)

Common Pests

and
Hand-pick early morning/evening; use beer traps or copper barriers; encourage natural predators like ground beetles
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity with morning watering; prune heavily infested leaves
Remove affected flowers; use blue sticky traps; spray with neem oil in early morning or evening
Hand-pick in early morning when sluggish; use pheromone traps away from plants; spray with neem oil if severe
Improve air circulation by pruning lower foliage; spray with sulfur dust or baking soda solution; water soil only, not foliage
Deadhead spent flowers; improve drainage and air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove affected plant material

Uses

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Edible Flowers & Petals

Culinary

Dahlia petals are edible with a slightly peppery, sweet flavor and attractive appearance. Fresh petals can garnish salads, desserts, and cocktails for visual appeal and delicate flavor. [source]

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Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Household

Dinnerplate dahlias are prized by florists and home arrangers for their massive, striking blooms that serve as dramatic focal points in any arrangement. A single stem can create an entire display due to its size and impact. [source]

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Dried Flowers & Preservation

Craft

Large dahlia blooms can be air-dried or pressed for use in craft projects, dried arrangements, and decorative displays. Properly dried, they retain color and form for months. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Despite being a highly cultivated ornamental, dahlias attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, particularly in the afternoon when insects are most active. They provide valuable late-season nectar and pollen. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Dahlia tubers have been used traditionally in herbal medicine, particularly in Asian and indigenous practices, for potential digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, though scientific validation 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 dinnerplate dahlias in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Cut stems at a steep angle just above a leaf node. Remove lower leaves from cut stems before arranging. Blooms last 10-14 days in fresh water with floral preservative. For longest vase life, condition stems in cool water for 2-4 hours before arranging. Pinch off outer petals if they're bruised during cutting or handling.

Fun Facts

🌱 Dinnerplate dahlias can produce blooms larger than actual dinner plates—some specimens exceed 14 inches in diameter, making them among the largest flowers in home gardens.
🌱 'Emory Paul' was named after a dahlia enthusiast and is prized for consistent size and color stability; well-grown specimens regularly win at dahlia shows and competitions.
🌱 Dahlias are native to Mexico and were named after Swedish botanist Anders Dahl; the Aztecs cultivated them for food (tubers) and ceremony long before European discovery.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Perennial

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