Dahlia - Dinnerplate Cafe au Lait Twist

Dahlia – Dinnerplate Cafe au Lait Twist

Add extraordinary color and artistic beauty to your garden with the stunning blooms of Dinnerplate Cafe au Lait Twist Dahlia. This unique variety produces enormous, fully double dinnerplate-sized flowers in soft creamy white and blush tones dramatically streaked and splashed with vibrant raspberry-pink. Each bloom is slightly different, creating a beautiful “twist” of color that makes every flower one-of-a-kind.

Cafe au Lait Twist is part of the famous Cafe au Lait dahlia family, admired for its giant blooms and romantic color palette. The tall plants produce strong stems and abundant flowers from mid-summer until the first frost, making them perfect for cutting gardens and floral arrangements. Their breathtaking blooms are especially popular for weddings and bouquets while also attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Plant Details

Plant Type: Flowering Bulb (Tuber)
Flower Color: Creamy white and blush with raspberry-pink streaks
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 large plants and 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 encourage strong growth and large blooms.

Support

• Because of the 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 Twist Dahlias will produce spectacular oversized blooms with beautiful swirls of color, bringing dramatic beauty and elegance to summer gardens and stunning floral arrangements.