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Dahlias have an interesting history.
Dahlias are a genus of flowering plants that belong to the family Asteraceae, which also includes daisies and sunflowers. These plants are native to Central America, specifically Mexico, and are widely grown for their attractive blooms.
The first dahlia tubers arrived in Europe at the end of the 18th century, sent over to Madrid by the Spanish settlers in Mexico.
Andreas Dahl (after whom the plant is named) regarded it as a vegetable rather than a garden flower, but interest switched from the edible tubers to the blooms when the first varieties with large, double flowers were bred in Belgium in 1815.
Within a few years nearly every colour we now admire had been introduced and Victorian catalogues listed hundreds of varieties.
The favourites in those days were the Ball and Small Decorative Dahlias. Today it is the Large Decorative and Cactus varieties which capture the public fancy. Fashions change but the popularity of this late summer flower continues to increase.
The reasons for this devotion to the Dahlia are fairly obvious. First of all the skill of the breeders in England, Holland, Germany, Australia and America has produced a range of sizes and colours unmatched in the world of garden flowers.
Plants ranging from dwarf bedders (twelve inches high) to giants taller than a man. Flowers range in size from an inch to the largest dinner plate.
Equally important is the time of flowering.
Dahlias come in a wide range of colors and shapes, from small pom-pom-like flowers to large blooms with wide petals. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and require full sun exposure and well-draining soil to thrive.
The leaves of dahlias are typically green and serrated, and they grow in a symmetrical, bushy pattern. The flowers themselves are produced on long stems that emerge from the plant’s central stem, and they typically bloom from mid-summer to early fall.
Dahlias are popular as cut flowers and are often used in floral arrangements due to their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms. They are also commonly grown in gardens and as ornamental plants, and many gardeners cultivate dahlias as a hobby due to the variety of colors and forms available.
From the end of July to the first frosts, Dahlias provide large orbs of colour when so many flowers are past their best.
Above all the Dahlia is an accommodating plant. It likes a good loam, but will grow almost anywhere. It relishes sunshine, but can still do well in partial shade.
