Summer Heat and Drought

Dahlias are pretty tolerant of a lot, but they don't thrive in high heat and drought conditions.  The plants become highly stressed, and even though they are blooming (somewhat), bloom sizes are smaller, there are less blooms on the plants, and many of the flowers are deformed.

 

Kaleidoscope

 

 

American Sun

Maniac

                                     


Plants also don't reach their full height. It's the end of August, and dahlias that were planted in mid May are scarcely two feet tall. It's like having a garden of 1200 miniature dahlias.