How to Grow Dahlias in Central Florida

How to Grow Dahlias in Central Florida

Friday, January 23, 2026

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Instructor: Eileen Tongson

Yes, you CAN grow dahlias in Florida! Join Eileen of FarmGal Flowers for this dahlia intensive. Eileen will share her secrets for growing these beautiful flowers in the Florida sun.

Students will learn:

• when and how to plant tubers/seeds

• how to maintain and stake dahlias

• which varieties grow best here

• how to harvest blooms and extend vase life

• how to dig, divide, and store tubers

Eileen will answer all of your dahlia questions and share tubers and seeds with you.

Registration includes admission to the beautiful Gardens before or after class.

Eileen Tongson is the owner of FarmGal Flowers (farmgalflowers.com), an urban flower farm and design studio whose mission is to teach others to grow and share flowers. She is also one of the gardeners at East End Market where she grows flowers and helps maintain the market garden. In addition to growing her own flowers, Eileen designs with them and provides arrangements for special occasions, restaurants, and events. Eileen completed the University of Florida IFAS Master Gardener Program and has studied flower farming and floral design at numerous locations over the years including Floret Flower Farm and Flower School New York.

Eileen is a Gardening and Floral Design instructor at Harry P. Leu Gardens and East End Market. Her flowers and gardening expertise have been featured in Flower magazine, Florists Review, In Her Garden magazine, Edible Orlando, the Slow Flowers Society, the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, The Spruce, and in Floret Farm's book, "Small Plot, Big Impact: Inspiring Stories, Profiles & Advice from 30 Flower Growers From Around the World" and Slow Flowers founder Debra Prinzing’s book, “Where We Bloom.” Eileen was voted Best Florist in Best of Winter Park 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 and was named the Garden Club of Jacksonville's Designer of Distinction in 2022. Clients and collaborations have included The Ford Motor Company, Chico’s (Clothing), Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Williams-Sonoma, Celebrity Chef Kelsey Barnard Clark, JoJo’s Shake Bar, the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, and the Orlando Museum of Art. Eileen is a contributor to the Growing Kindness Project where she shares her knowledge and skills for growing flowers in hot climates and encourages others to “garden and give.” To further FarmGal’s mission in her local community, Eileen is also an educator and contributor to the Seed Library at the Winter Park Public Library. Lastly, Eileen and FarmGal Flowers is featured in Debra Prinzing’s new book (published May 6, 2025) entitled “The Flower Farmers: Inspiration and Advice from Expert Growers." This book highlights twenty-nine of today’s most inspiring flower farmers and their stories, how-to-cultivate expertise, and favorite new varieties in a lushly photographed guide to feed your every floral fantasy!

Participants must withdraw from classes at least 5 days prior to the start of class in order to receive a full refund or credit. If we must cancel a class, we will make every effort to inform you prior to the class time, and you will receive a full refund or credit. Only those registered for the class will be permitted in the classroom. Childcare is not provided.

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Host or Publisher Harry P. Leu Gardens