Dazzling dahlias
Impressive planted en masse with a dazzling array of colours jostling for attention, or melding with other blooms as part of a mixed planting scheme, dahlias erupt on the late summer and autumn scene with great flamboyance.
A member of the asteraceae family, there are around 36 species of dahlias, with thousands of various cultivars and hybrids. Skilled breeders across the world have produced a wide range of sizes and colours, practically unmatched in the world of flowers. Dahlias can be described as decorative, cactus, anemone, waterlily, pompon, balls, collarette, dwarf, peony or orchid. Sizes range from the smallest lilliput to dinnerplate-sized blooms, while there is every colour except for blue – that most elusive hue for breeders.
A potted history
Dahlias originate from the mountains of Mexico, Columbia and Guatemala and were
