No, i did not feed them steroids.  The amazing Tree Dahlia (Dahlia imperialis) grows all by itself to 20 feet tall!  In fact in its homeland of Central America, it's said to reach 30 feet!  The flowers - although beautiful - are just an added bonus.  The real excitement in my opinion is the super-fast-growing, tropical foliage and thick, bamboo-like stems.  They really add a lively and dramatic atmosphere to the garden.  People always do a double-take when they find out this monster is a Dahlia! 

This is a single plant!

The big flowers of Tree Dahlia are about 6 inches across, and are a gorgeous shade of light-purple or pinkish-purple.  The orange centers contrast nicely with the petals.  The arching flowers sprays get up to 2-3 feet across and contain dozens of flowers, which fortunately point downward.  It almost looks as if the blooms are watching the garden! 

The thick, bamboo-like stems!

 The Tree Dahlia is not really a tree of course, but a tuberous perennial, like other dahlias.  This one flowers late in the year, around November and December, so the flowers may get zapped by cold weather in some areas.  In winter, you can cut the plant back to the ground and new growth will shoot up in the spring.  You won't believe how fast this plant grows!  The attractive stems grow to 4 inches thick and are hollow like bamboo.  The stems were actually used by the ancient Aztecs as pipes to carry drinking water!  

Tree Dahlia will flower in Zones 8 to 10, although it's known to flower in Zone 7b in warmer years.  The tubers are said to be hardy to 20-25 degrees F (-6°C) if well-mulched.  Protection from strong winds is recommended, as the young shoots and flower sprays are fairly delicate.  Either full sun or a half-day of sun is fine.  In hot climates, some afternoon shade may be a good idea.  In mild-winter areas, the Tree Dahlia can sometimes flower all the way through April!

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For detailed growing tips about this plant, click here.