NATURE ATTRACTION – The piece-de-resistance! Cheerful, showy and inspirational best describe the Biltmore Dinnerplate Dahlia. These produce vibrant giant-sized bi-color works of art. These enormous flowers easily attain the size of dinner plates with such beauty you may skip a breath!
KEY TIPS – Plants can take intense sun on the flowers and leaves. These plants have extended bloom time verses short small flowered dahlias. The stems prefer staking or some type of cage support. If you want to cut your stems for a flower vase, cut only the portion of the stem where the open flower is borne. Leave smaller flower buds on plant.
SHELF LIFE – Plant in pots immediately if desired. If planting into the garden itself, wait until night temperatures stay above 45 degrees.
PREPARATION - Discard any unattached pieces of old roots that may have occurred.
DETERMINING THE BOTTOM OR TOP OF CLUMPS – These clumps have roots radiating from a central point called the crown. Plant the clumps with the tubular roots facing downward and the old stem upwards.
GARDEN PREPARATION –Dig a hole about 8 inches deep and 10 inches wide. POTTED PLANTS – These need at least ten inch pots or larger. Place outside when evenings stay above 45 degrees. Drainage holes are necessary.
SOIL – If your soil is clayish amend it with a standard garden soil for adequate drainage.
PLANTING DEPTH AND SPACING– Leave the old stem portion above the soil line. The crown, where the old stem meets the root, will be just below the surface. Space them at least 18 -24 inches apart. These multiply rapidly and like the room to grow.
SPROUTING TIME - Sprouts in May after a couple weeks.  In the ground it takes a little longer if the temperatures are still cool.
WATER - Water thoroughly upon planting.  Wait until they sprout for subsequent watering. Once they sprout keep the soil moist all summer long. This is vital to insure a long, sustainable blooming period.
FERTILIZER – This helps maintain flower size and count from year to year. For best results, use Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) twice a month all summer long.
LIGHTING -Full sun is preferred though half day is sufficient.
BLOOMING – These plants will bloom early summer through early fall every year. TEMPERATURE ZONE 8 to 11 - If you live where winters drop below 35 degrees, bring the pots inside or dig them up. 
WINTER DORMANCY – After the first frost, cut plants back leaving 6 inches of the stem. Dig them up if you live where winters drop below 35 degrees being careful not to harm the tuber in the soil. Work the soil off. Let dry in the sun for one day. Place in paper bags with dry peat moss. Store in cool dry area until late spring the following year.
PROPAGATING- These roots will re-bloom every year. They can be subdivided in early spring after two years. Separate them making sure each section has a portion of old stem and a visible bud or “eye’.
GROOMING - Simply cut away bloomed out flowers after spent during the summer. This promotes new flowers.
CUT FLOWERS - If you want to cut your stems for a flower vase, cut only the portion of the stem where the open flower is borne. Leave the smaller flower buds on plant. STAKING –The stems prefer staking or some type of cage support.