Dahlia 'Cafe Au Lait' Bulb
Best choice for gardeners seeking elegant, large-scale blooms for floral arrangements.
The Cafe au Lait Dahlia is celebrated for its sophisticated, dinnerplate-sized blooms featuring luxurious cream, blush pink, and subtle latte brown hues. This variety brings midsummer to fall splendor to any garden, making it a coveted choice for upscale floral arrangements and bouquets. Planted in spring, these tubers produce an upright habit, reaching a mature height and spread of four feet. They thrive in full sun and prefer moist, well-drained soil that is normal, loamy, or sandy. Beyond their visual appeal, these magnificent flowers are known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding lively movement to their serene beauty. For gardeners in colder climates (Zones 3-7), remember to lift and store the tubers indoors over winter.
$13.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
726
/ 3183
#726 in Plant & Flower Bulbs
Price vs Category Average
-41%
Below average
SKU
26520
Who it's for
- Floral designers seeking sophisticated, high-impact color palettes
- Home gardeners wanting a steady supply of professional-grade cut flowers
- Efficient growers looking for maximum bloom output per plant
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners wanting immediate color throughout the early summer
- Busy gardeners wanting low-maintenance, leave-in-the-ground perennials
- Hands-off growers preferring plants that stand up on their own
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Dinnerplate-sized blooms create a dramatic focal point in any garden setting.
Pollinator Attraction
Rich nectar sources effectively draw butterflies and hummingbirds to your landscape.
Maintenance Ease
Straightforward care, though colder climates require seasonal tuber lifting and storage.
Floral Versatility
Sophisticated color palette makes these ideal for high-end cut flower arrangements.
Bloom Longevity
Consistent flowering from midsummer through fall ensures a long-lasting garden display.
Growth Habit
Sturdy four-foot upright structure provides reliable height for garden borders.
Key Specs
SKU
26520
Item Form
Bulb
Hardiness Zones
7 - 10
Mature Height
4 Feet
Mature Width
4 Feet
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Moisture Requirements
Moist, well-drained
Shipping Restrictions
CA, GU, PR, VI
Features
- Produces dinnerplate-sized blooms for significant visual impact
- Features a sophisticated color palette of cream, blush pink, and latte brown
- Blooms continuously from midsummer through mid-fall
- Attracts beneficial pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds
- Suitable for use in containers, cut flower arrangements, and outdoor beds
- Easy Care Plants designation for straightforward maintenance
- Double Blooms provide a full, lush appearance
What customers say
The unique, creamy blush design of the 'Cafe Au Lait' dahlia consistently earns high praise, establishing it as a garden favorite. Customers celebrate the exceptional quality of the resulting blooms, noting their impressive size and luxurious aesthetic appeal which often exceeds expectations. This variety is highly valued for its reliable performance and stunning visual impact, making it a coveted centerpiece. The overall sentiment confirms this dahlia is a worthwhile investment for those seeking sophisticated garden drama.
Know before you buy
The 'Cafe Au Lait' is classified as a dinnerplate dahlia, meaning its blooms can reach 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Their impressive size and lush, double-petal structure make them a standout focal point in any garden or arrangement.
Yes, because these dahlias reach a mature height of four feet and produce heavy, large blooms, they benefit from staking. Providing support early in the season prevents the stems from bending or breaking during heavy rain or wind.
Absolutely. While they thrive in garden beds, they perform well in large containers provided the pot is at least 12 to 15 inches deep and wide. Ensure the container has excellent drainage to keep the tubers healthy.
If you are in zones 3 through 7, the tubers will not survive the winter in the ground. After the first frost kills the foliage, carefully dig up the tubers, let them dry, and store them in a cool, dark, and frost-free location until spring.
These plants require full sun, which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Adequate light is essential for producing the strong stems and continuous blooms characteristic of this variety.
They are excellent for cut flower arrangements. Their long, sturdy stems and long-lasting, sophisticated color palette make them a favorite for professional florists and home gardeners alike.
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$14