Dahlia Bulbs - David Howard
Best vibrant blooms for enthusiastic garden creators.
Dahlia 'David Howard' produces striking apricot-orange blooms with dark bronze-purple foliage, making it a standout in any garden. This formal decorative dahlia offers 4-5 inch flowers on strong stems, ensuring a long vase life and season-long color. It's an excellent choice for borders, cutting gardens, and containers. The cultivar has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its reliable performance and beauty. Dahlias thrive in full sun and rich, well-drained soil, requiring consistent moisture and occasional feeding for optimal growth.
$22.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
618
/ 3259
#618 in Plant & Flower Bulbs
Price vs Category Average
-3%
Below average
Latin Name
_Dahlia_ ’David Howard’
/ _Dahlia_ ’David Howard’
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking bold, eye-catching focal points.
- Enthusiasts desiring continuous, late-season garden vibrancy.
- Home decorators and flower arrangers.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in cold regions without suitable storage options.
- Individuals preferring low-maintenance, pest-resistant garden varieties.
- Those with shady plots or heavy, poorly draining soil.
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Stunning contrast between apricot blooms and dark bronze foliage creates drama.
Cut Flower Utility
Strong stems and impressive vase life make these perfect for arrangements.
Growth Reliability
RHS Award of Garden Merit confirms consistent performance for most gardeners.
Ease of Cultivation
Straightforward planting requirements make this accessible for beginners and experts alike.
Versatility
Thrives equally well in garden borders, mass plantings, or decorative containers.
Maintenance Demand
Requires regular staking and moisture management to reach full potential.
Key Specs
Latin Name
_Dahlia_ ’David Howard’
David Howard Dahlia Color
apricot/orange tones w/bronze leaves
David Howard Dahlia Flavor
Not recommended for consumption.
Hardiness Zone
Perennial in zones 8, 9, 10; grown as annuals in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Days to Bloom
80-100
Planting Depth
4-6 inches
Plant Spacing
18-24 inches apart
Plant Height
32-36 inches
Features
- Striking apricot-orange flowers with dark foliage
- Formal decorative bloom form
- Strong stems for cutting
- Long vase life
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
- Suitable for containers
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of these dahlia bulbs. Many report vigorous growth and stunning, true to type blooms that perfectly match the vibrant "David Howard" description. Gardeners appreciate the healthy condition of the tubers upon arrival, leading to high success rates in their gardens. This reliability in performance, combined with the spectacular floral display, often leads to a strong perception of value, making them a favored choice for those seeking dependable beauty.
Know before you buy
Yes, these dahlias are well-suited for containers. Ensure your pot is large enough to accommodate the root system and provides excellent drainage to prevent the tubers from rotting.
If you live in hardiness zones 8 through 10, the tubers can typically remain in the ground. In zones 3 through 7, you must dig up and store the tubers indoors over the winter, as they are not frost-hardy.
David Howard dahlias thrive in full sun, meaning they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce their best blooms and maintain their dark foliage color.
If you are in a colder climate (zones 3-7), starting them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost will give you a head start on the growing season. In warmer zones, you can direct sow them once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F.
While David Howard dahlias have strong stems, they can grow up to 36 inches tall. Staking is recommended to protect the plants from strong winds and to keep the heavy, formal decorative blooms upright.
This cultivar is prized for its long vase life. For the best results, cut the stems early in the morning when the blooms are fully hydrated and place them immediately into clean water.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$23