Dahlia – Dinnerplate Cafe au Lait
One of the most beloved dahlias in the gardening world, Dinnerplate Cafe au Lait Dahlia is known for its enormous blooms and soft, romantic coloring. This spectacular variety produces huge, fully double flowers in dreamy shades of creamy beige, blush pink, soft peach, and champagne. Each bloom can vary slightly in tone, giving the plant a beautifully natural and vintage appearance.
Cafe au Lait is famous for its giant “dinnerplate” blooms that can reach impressive sizes, making it a favorite for wedding arrangements, bouquets, and floral displays. The tall plants produce strong stems and continuous flowers from mid-summer until the first frost, creating a stunning centerpiece in garden beds or cut flower gardens while also attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Plant Details
Plant Type: Flowering Bulb (Tuber)
Flower Color: Creamy beige, blush pink, soft peach, and champagne tones
Bloom Size: Extra-large dinnerplate blooms (8–10 inches or larger)
Plant Height: 36–48 inches
Bloom Time: Mid-summer to first frost
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Uses: Garden beds, borders, cutting gardens, and floral arrangements
Growing Instructions for Zone 3b
Dahlias are not winter hardy in colder climates and should be planted after the danger of frost has passed. In Zone 3b, tubers must be lifted and stored indoors during winter.
Planting Time
Plant tubers outdoors in late spring once the final frost has passed and soil temperatures reach about 60°F (15–16°C).
Location
Choose a location receiving 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily with rich, well-drained soil.
Planting Depth
- Dig a hole 4–6 inches deep.
- Place the tuber horizontally with the growing eye facing upward.
- Cover with soil and water lightly.
Spacing
Space plants 18–24 inches apart to allow room for the large plants to grow and maintain good airflow.
Watering
Water lightly after planting. Once shoots appear, maintain consistent moisture while avoiding waterlogged soil.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during the growing season to support healthy growth and large blooms.
Support
- Because of the very large flowers, staking is recommended to prevent stems from bending or breaking.
Overwintering in Zone 3b
- After the first frost blackens the foliage, cut stems back to 4–6 inches.
- Carefully dig up the tubers and allow them to dry for several days.
- Store in peat moss, sawdust, or vermiculite in a cool, dry, frost-free location (40–50°F) until spring.
With proper care, Dinnerplate Cafe au Lait Dahlias will produce breathtaking oversized blooms in soft vintage tones, bringing elegance and show-stopping beauty to summer gardens and floral arrangements.