frequently asked questions
ordering
Why do some of my order items disappear from my cart when I check out? Didn’t putting them in my cart reserve them?
Having items in your cart does not reserve them; our inventory system is set up to subtract items (and reserve them for the customer) only when the transaction is complete upon payment.
May I change, cancel, or combine my order(s)?
We are unable to refund or alter existing orders, or combine multiple orders.
May I be refunded for excess shipping costs if I have placed multiple orders?
We are a small boutique grower/supplier logistically unable to combine orders and/or refund shipping charges. Each separately-placed order incurs a shipping charge, whether multiple orders are placed on the same day from the same Release, or placed weeks apart from different Releases. Each order will also be packed and shipped separately.
Why do I pay now for tubers that won’t be shipped until spring?
Doing so reserves the dahlias that you have selected. We then store those tubers for you, at the proper temperature and humidity level, until we close our shop in the spring and they can be safely shipped to your area.
Will I receive a single tuber or a clump of tubers?
You will receive a single tuber. The “stringy” dahlia clumps found in big-box stores come from plants that are grown overseas and harvested mechanically. Here in the USA, dahlia plants are grown farther apart, resulting in much larger clumps and tubers, which are then harvested and divided by hand.
Will I receive a substitute variety if the tuber that I ordered did not survive storage?
We do not substitute tuber varieties. If a tuber in your order has met an untimely demise in storage (this only occasionally happens, but some varieties are more prone to storage issues than most), you will be issued a refund via PayPal for the price of the tuber(s) that did not survive storage.
shipping
How much does shipping cost?
Orders under $175 incur a $12 shipping charge. Orders of $175 or more incur a charge of 7% of the purchase price, up to a MAXIMUM SHIPPING CHARGE of $35.
When will my order be shipped?
ALL ORDERS WILL BE SHIPPED IN SPRING, usually beginning in early/mid-March. Pre-sale orders (placed between opening date in late Fall and the first week of March) will be shipped out weekly based on both the destination weather forecast and the en-route forecast, regardless of planting zone. Orders placed in late spring will be sent out weekly, weather permitting. Please note: WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE CUSTOM SHIPPING OF ANY SORT (early or late).
Do you offer shipping any time before mid March?
No; we do not offer any customized shipping at this time.
Do you ship outside of the USA?
We do not ship internationally at this time.
May I pick up my tubers at your farm instead of having them shipped?
A pick-up option is not available at this time.
tubers
What should I do when my tubers arrive?
When you receive your order, please open it immediately and carefully examine your tuber(s). If you are dissatisfied with a tuber for any reason, and would like a refund, you must email us with your request within 24 hours of receipt (as determined by the USPS tracking time of delivery). We will issue a full refund (no replacement) of the tuber price (no shipping refund) IF/WHEN you return it to us, at your cost, in the same condition that you received it, and WITHIN 7 DAYS of contacting us. If we do not receive your return within 7 days of your email, or if the tuber has been split, had cuttings taken, or altered in any other way, no refund will be issued.
If you are satisfied with your tuber(s), we recommend that you plant them immediately if your soil has reached a minimum temperature of 55-60 degrees and your climate and forecast are favorable. (See below if it is still too cold and/or wet for your area.)
How should I store my tubers until it is time to plant them?
Upon receiving your tubers, If your soil is too wet or has not reached a minimum temperature of 55-60 degrees, you are responsible for repackaging your tubers and storing them properly. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IN ANY WAY FOR YOUR STORAGE CONDITIONS OR TUBERS LOST DURING YOUR STORAGE (please see the American Dahlia Society website for recommended storage methods). Keep them in a cool location (NOT the refrigerator!) until planting conditions are favorable.
Why do the tubers in my order differ so much in appearance?
Although there is a general “look” to dahlia tubers, they can nevertheless vary widely in color, texture, size, and shape. Tuber appearance can be somewhat affected by the moisture and organic content of the specific planting site, but these variations are generally due to the complex genetics of dahlias. Healthy tubers can exhibit hues from the typical blond and/or brown to (less commonly) red, gray, splashes of orange or pink, and even areas of black (with firm, healthy flesh underneath). Texture characteristics can include ridges, bumps, root hairs, and bark-like patches; tuber size ranges from one inch to one foot (tubers are often trimmed of “rat tails;” large tubers are often cut down to size), and shape can be pencil-straight, carrot-like, globular, full-bodied with a very thin neck, or curved. While growing in the field, tubers can be further “decorated” by insect or burrowing animal activity, with final insult at harvest time from blades and tines. Remember, the necessary qualities for a healthy tuber are the presence of a live eye, an unbroken neck, firm flesh, and the absence of rot (as indicated by leakage or mushy areas). They don’t need to look pretty!
How do I know which flower variety my tuber is?
Each tuber we send has been ID tagged with a five-letter stock keeping unit (SKU) using an indelible pencil or marker. If you go to the Chelan Butte Dahliary website, you can simply type the SKU into the search box, select "enter", and the associated flower variety's product page will appear. The packing slip that comes with your shipment also has the SKU listed adjacent to each variety purchased.
our guarantee
Do you have a guarantee?
We promise to send what we believe to be healthy tubers, true to variety, from plants that had no sign of virus or gall when growing on our farm. Please see our Terms and Conditions regarding our refund policy.
dahlia culture
Can you give me a quick guide to dahlia requirements and care?
Soil Type: Neutral to slightly base pH, WELL-DRAINING soil with moderate organic content. Sun Exposure: Full sun, with or without afternoon shade. Planting Time: After the last spring frost, when soil temperature has warmed to a minimum of 55-60 degrees. Planting Method: Plant the tuber on its side with eye/sprout facing up, 4"-6” deep, 1'-3’ apart. Staking: Support as you would tomato plants; less support may be possible with closer/deeper planting. Watering: Do so sparingly (unless your climate is arid and the weather at planting is extremely hot, then water more often!) until roots have started to develop; thereafter, soil should be kept just slightly moist. Fertilizing: Our dahlias have thrived with the addition of mycorrhizae and worm castings to the soil, as well as 1 scoop of Osmocote Plus worked into the soil above the planted tuber. We amend every few weeks with a foliar application of liquid seaweed and plant vitamins. Grooming: For bushier/more floriferous plants, pinch off the growth apex (tip) when about 12”. Flower Harvesting: Cut in early morning or evening; taking 14”-16” stems promotes re-blooming and sturdier stems. Digging, Dividing, and Storing Tubers: Please refer to the American Dahlia Society website.
Do I have to dig up my dahlia plants at the end of the season?
Dahlia plants above ground will die overnight with a hard frost. However, the clump of tubers that has formed underground may survive, depending on your climate. Dahlia clumps will usually not freeze in zones 7b and above, although in rainy winter/spring conditions they often succumb to rot; a thick layer of mulch (straw, deciduous leaves, evergreen boughs) is often advised for cold protection as well as to keep them from getting too soggy. For colder climates, you may choose to allow the tubers to freeze and then simply purchase new tubers to plant the following spring; many dahlia lovers choose this option so that they have the opportunity to try lots of varieties! Otherwise, clumps must be lifted, divided if desired, stored for the winter, and planted out again in spring. Please refer to the American Dahlia Society website article “Digging, Dividing, and Storing Tubers.”
chelan butte dahliary
What are your dahlia disease protocols?
At Chelan Butte Dahliary, we take very seriously the responsibility of doing our part to help prevent the spread of dahlia viruses, crown gall, and leafy gall. For this reason, when dividing our tuber clumps we faithfully follow the protocol recommended by the American Dahlia Society in their brochure called “Virus in Dahlias – Be Part of the Solution.” Between each and every clump, we soak our dividing scissors in a solution of 20% Dawn dish soap. We also religiously follow the “when in doubt, throw it out” protocol, removing any plants with disease symptoms that have not responded to nutritional supplementation. These plants are discarded into the garbage! If a variety had crown gall upon digging, we fallow that planting spot, as well as the surrounding spots on all sides, for an entire season. Leafy gall is not thought to be systemic, but to reside mainly on the leaves and stems, and is usually transferred from surface to surface rather than through the soil. Finally, we throw out plants that, even though they do not exhibit signs of virus or gall, are weak as compared to the other plants of the same variety, hopefully ensuring the tubers from the stronger and presumably more virus-resistant plants are sold to our customers. We highly recommend that every dahlia grower read the exceptionally helpful brochure mentioned above, and be part of the solution!
Is your farm open to the public?
Chelan Butte Dahliary is a working farm and is not open to visitors at this time. Please stay tuned...
What is a "dahliary"?
It was during a brainstorming session about what to name our dahlia farm that we coined the new term "dahliary". Just as a winery, brewery, or distillery is dedicated to both the art and the science of producing unique, high-quality products for enjoyment, we chose the term "dahliary" to embody our passion and serious dedication to cultivating, promoting, and distributing the beauty of the dahlia.
Frequently Asked Questions last updated: January 2, 2026
