How to Grow Pink Attraction
Pink Attraction
Dahlia × hybrida 'Pink Attraction'
flowerPink Attraction is a popular decorative dahlia cultivar known for its soft pink blooms and compact, bushy growth habit. This variety produces abundant medium-sized flowers ideal for garden displays and cut flower arrangements. It thrives in warm-season gardens and blooms prolifically from mid-summer through fall frost.
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Example Pink Attraction timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pink Attraction
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 Pink Attraction blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pink Attraction dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-10; can be grown as an annual in cooler zones by treating tubers as tender perennials
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Tuber Dormancy & Sprouting
2-4 weeksDahlia tubers are stored or planted; new shoots emerge from the eyes after soil warms to 60°F+
Store tubers in cool, dry conditions over winter if in zones below 8. Plant after last frost when soil is warm. Ensure tubers are not moldy before planting.
Seedling & Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksYoung shoots develop into leafy stems with compound green foliage; plant grows bushy and compact
Water regularly and maintain consistent soil moisture. Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pinch growing tips when plants are 12-15 inches tall to encourage branching and more blooms.
Bud Formation & Early Flowering
2-3 weeksFlower buds appear at stem tips; first blooms begin to open in soft pink hues
Continue regular watering and deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Apply balanced or bloom-promoting fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Support tall stems with stakes if needed.
Peak Flowering
6-10 weeksPlant is covered with abundant medium-sized pink decorative blooms; robust flowering continues through late summer and fall
Deadhead religiously to extend bloom period. Water during dry spells. Watch for pests and diseases. Continue fertilizing every 2-3 weeks to sustain flower production.
Decline & Dormancy
4-8 weeks until frostBlooming slows as temperatures drop and frost approaches; foliage yellows and stems weaken
In zones 8-10, allow plant to senesce naturally or cut back after frost. Dig tubers carefully, dry and clean them, then store in cool (50-55°F), dark, dry location for winter. In cooler zones, treat as annual and replant next year.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; ensure adequate humidity
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur dust or fungicide; remove affected foliage
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Remove heavily infested blooms; use yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; use copper barriers or diatomaceous earth; beer traps; avoid overwatering
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and
Hand-pick early in the morning; use Japanese beetle traps away from plants; apply neem oil; use row covers if available
Uses
Edible garnish and decoration
CulinaryDahlia petals are edible and commonly used as a colorful garnish for salads, desserts, and cocktails. The petals have a mildly peppery flavor and add visual elegance to culinary presentations. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
CraftPink Attraction is prized for floral design, wedding bouquets, and decorative arrangements. Its medium size, full form, and pink color work well in mixed and monochromatic displays. [source]
Garden display and landscape color
HouseholdThe compact bushy habit and abundant blooms make it ideal for borders, mixed flower beds, and container gardens. Pink Attraction provides months of continuous color from midsummer through fall. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalIn some traditional medicine systems, dahlia tubers have been used to support digestive health and blood sugar regulation, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeDahlia flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, providing valuable late-season nectar and pollen sources for pollinator populations. [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 full of water for longest vase life. Use a sharp knife or pruners and cut just above a leaf node. Recut stems at a 45-degree angle and place immediately in cool water. Dahlias are excellent cut flowers and typically last 5-10 days in a vase. Deadhead spent garden flowers regularly to encourage more blooms throughout the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dahlias are native to Mexico and were cultivated by the Aztecs; they were brought to Europe by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
- 🌱 The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico and is featured on Mexican postage stamps and coins.
- 🌱 Pink Attraction and other decorative dahlias come in thousands of registered cultivars, with new varieties bred every year by dahlia enthusiasts and horticulturists worldwide.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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