The Beauty of Waiting for the First Bloom There is something magical about the anticipation that comes with growing dahlias. After carefully planting tubers in spring, watering tender shoots, and watching green stems slowly stretch toward the sun, every dahlia grower begins looking for the same thing—the first bloom.

Some of the most exciting flowers growing at Flaming Acres this year aren't varieties we purchased—they're varieties that began as tiny seeds and have become something entirely their own. This week, I transplanted our greenhouse-grown Flaming Originals into the garden, and as I worked among the plants, I found myself reflecting on the remarkable journey these dahlias have already taken.

January has a way of clearing the noise. After the rich colors of summer and the fullness of fall, the world seems to soften. The garden rests. The palette quiets. And in that simplicity, we begin to notice beauty differently. This week at Flaming Acres, we’re leaning into white—white dahlias that carry elegance, calm, and quiet strength. White is never empty. It reflects light. It creates space. It invites intention.

December settles in gently here at Flaming Acres, and while the fields rest under gray skies and winter rain, life is still quietly unfolding beneath the surface. This season, our dahlias are sleeping—not in the ground, but tucked safely away for winter in a carefully monitored storage space. Overwintering tubers is always a season of watchfulness, and this year feels especially significant as we are trying a new storage method for the very first time.

I had spent hours reading conflicting recommendations online—some growers said to add water, others warned against it, and no one seemed to agree on how much was enough. Jim’s answer was both simple and precise: “Add only enough water so it doesn’t clump, just feels moist.” He reminded us that in our dry Idaho climate, a little moisture helps prevent shriveling, but too much can lead to rot. His final bit of advice—check the tubers two or three times through the winter...

If you’ve ever wondered how a dahlia farm in the heart of Idaho keeps all its wheels turning, you’ll enjoy this little behind-the-scenes tour with Dion. I made a video recently where he narrated some of the projects and equipment that keep Flaming Acres humming along, and today I thought I’d share the highlights with you.

I love this project not only for the beauty it captures but also for the heart behind it. It’s another way of extending the life of our gardens, savoring the glory of dahlias beyond their season, and crafting heirlooms that remind us of sunshine and joy when winter comes.

Last fall, we tucked away hundreds of tiny treasures—dahlia seeds harvested from our 2024 fields, each one a mystery waiting to bloom. Unlike tubers, which clone their mother plant, seeds are full of surprises. Every petal, every hue, every form is a brand-new creation, a one-of-a-kind story written by the bees who carried pollen between our 300+ varieties. Now, as September arrives, our seedling patch has truly come alive. The diversity is breathtaking...

Every dahlia you admire—whether in our fields at Flaming Acres or in a vase brightening your kitchen—begins the same way: with a humble tuber. A dahlia tuber is a potato-like root full of stored energy and promise. When planted in spring, it wakes up, pushes out green shoots, and eventually bursts into the dazzling flowers that steal the show all summer and fall. But here’s the thing—not all tubers are created equal. That’s why we put so much care into growing, inspecting, an

Most gardeners think of dahlias as tuber treasures—but tucked inside their fading blooms lies another kind of gold: seeds. Harvesting dahlia seeds isn’t just a thrifty way to grow more flowers, it’s an adventure in discovery. Each seed carries unique genetics, meaning no two plants will bloom exactly alike. That’s how brand-new varieties are born!

There’s nothing quite like stepping into the garden and seeing a sea of colorful dahlias smiling back at you. But here’s a little secret: if you want your plants to keep pumping out those gorgeous blooms, you can’t just admire them on the stem—you’ve got to cut them. That’s right—the more you cut your dahlias, the more they’ll reward you.

Late August heat can be tough on dahlias, but with a little extra care, these beauties can thrive through the hottest days of summer. Whether you’re growing them in the ground or experimenting with pots on your patio, knowing how to protect your dahlias from stress makes all the difference.

Dahlias may be the stars of the summer garden, but even the brightest stars shine more brilliantly when surrounded by friends. That’s where companion flowers come in. These carefully chosen plants don’t just fill space — they bring fragrance, texture, pollinator power, and garden balance that elevate your dahlias to a whole new level.

In the fall of 2024, after a full season of growing over 300 different dahlia varieties, we carefully harvested seeds from our fields —...

Introducing the Fall Giants Collection from Flaming Acres Dahlias At Flaming Acres, fall is our favorite kind of finale. When the air...

Designing your cut flower garden doesn’t have to be overwhelming—let it be playful, purposeful, and packed with personality!

If you visit Flaming Acres in the early morning, you’ll often find the dahlias stretching toward the sky—leaves glistening, petals just beginning to open, and the rhythmic hum of overhead sprinklers sending gentle arcs of water across the rows.

Every dahlia has a mood. A vibe. A story. At Flaming Acres, we can’t help but imagine our dahlias as a cast of unforgettable characters.