How to Grow Floral Dance
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Floral Dance
Dahlia × hybrida 'Floral Dance'
flowerFloral Dance is a vibrant decorative dahlia cultivar known for its striking bi-color blooms featuring red and white or pink and white petals. This medium-sized dahlia produces prolific flowers throughout the growing season and is popular for both garden displays and cut flower arrangements. It's a tender perennial typically grown as an annual in most climates.
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Example Floral Dance timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Floral Dance
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 Floral Dance blooms
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Floral Dance dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-10; can be grown in zones 7-8 with winter protection or annual replanting
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Sprout & Early Growth
2-3 weeksDahlia tuber sends up initial shoots and develops first leaves. Plant emerges above soil line.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Ensure good drainage to prevent tuber rot. Begin light staking or support if needed.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with multiple stems reaching 3-4 feet tall. Leaves are pinnately compound and dark green.
Pinch out the central growing tip when plant is 12 inches tall to encourage branching and more blooms. Water regularly. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Stake or support stems to prevent breaking.
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksFlower buds appear at the stem tips, initially small and tightly clustered. Plant is at full height.
Remove side buds if you want larger individual blooms. Maintain consistent watering and switch to phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote blooming. Continue staking as buds add weight.
Flowering
8-12 weeks until frostDecorative bi-color blooms open, displaying characteristic red-and-white or pink-and-white coloring. Flowers are 4-6 inches across with multiple layers of petals.
Deadhead spent blooms regularly to extend flowering. Water at soil level to keep petals dry. Harvest flowers for arrangements in early morning. Monitor for pests attracted to blooms.
Decline & Dormancy
Variable, depends on first frost datePlant slows flower production as temperatures drop in fall. Foliage may yellow and stems begin to die back after first frost.
In zones 9-10, dig tubers after first killing frost, clean, dry, and store in cool (50-60°F), dry location for winter. In colder zones, treat as annual. Mark tuber location before digging.
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 for heavy infestations. Increase humidity around plants.
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Hand-pick beetles in early morning; use pheromone traps away from dahlias. Apply neem oil or spinosad if damage is severe.
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove affected flowers. Keep area free of weeds where thrips overwinter.
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Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants properly. Remove affected leaves. Apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray (1 tbsp baking soda + 1 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp soap per gallon water).
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and
Remove by hand in early morning. Use copper tape barriers. Apply diatomaceous earth around plant base. Beer traps can be effective.
Uses
Decorative garnish
CulinaryFloral Dance dahlia petals can be used as an edible garnish for salads and desserts, adding visual appeal and a slightly sweet, peppery flavor. Ensure flowers are grown without pesticides if using for consumption. [source]
Cut flowers and floral arrangements
HouseholdThe striking bi-color blooms make Floral Dance ideal for cut flower arrangements, wedding bouquets, and floral displays. Dahlias are long-lasting in the vase and highly valued by florists. [source]
Garden display and landscape color
HouseholdFloral Dance provides continuous color in borders, cottage gardens, and mixed beds throughout the growing season. The vibrant red-and-white flowers create striking focal points and attract pollinators. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that visit for nectar and pollen. Supporting these pollinators helps maintain a healthy garden ecosystem. [source]
Dried flower crafts
CraftDahlia blooms can be pressed or dried for use in crafts, floral arrangements, and decorative projects. Hang-dry by the stems in a warm, dry location for 2-3 weeks. [source]
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting flowers once they fully open to encourage continued blooming. Cut in early morning when stems are turgid with water. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut 12-18 inches of stem. Re-cut stems indoors and place immediately in cool water with floral preservative. Dahlias last 7-10 days in a vase. Deadhead spent blooms on garden plants regularly to promote more flower production throughout the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dahlias are native to Mexico and were named after 18th-century Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. The Aztecs used dahlia tubers as a food source before Spanish conquistadors brought them back to Europe.
- 🌱 Floral Dance and other bi-color dahlias achieve their distinctive color patterns through selective breeding; some dahlias can display up to three different colors on a single bloom.
- 🌱 Dahlias have tuberous roots that can be divided and replanted, meaning a single 'Floral Dance' plant from one year can produce multiple plants the following season, making them economical for gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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