General Description/History

Dahlias are closely related to chrysanthemums, but are usually only available in the warmer months. The petals come in a range of forms, from closely packed ‘pompom’ types to the more tubular petals of the cacti-dahlias. They are grown from tubers and are fantastic garden plants in the low humidity summers of southern Australia. There are single and double-petal forms as well.

Flowers come in a range of colours: white, yellow, orange, pink, red, lavender and purple and mixtures of all of these. Stems are hollow, which is the easiest way to tell them apart from chrysanthemums – their stems are solid. They do not have an obvious perfume.

Dahlias are grown outside over the summer months. In Australia they are grown close to the capital cities, particularly in the flower growing areas east of Melbourne in Victoria, in SA and NSW.

Types: Pompoms, cactus

What to look for

• Flowers should be ¾ to fully open as they do not open much in the vase.
• Foliage should be firm and green, with no sign of yellowing.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool! Never place in full sun.
2. Break bunches apart.
3. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem and wash stems thoroughly.
4. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in cold water.
5. Use a preservative – this will help flowers last longer.
6. Replace vase water with fresh water every day.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

The 16th century Spanish conquistadors also found time to collect the New World flora. Botanists accompanying the soldiers discovered what is sometimes referred to as the tree dahlia (D. imperialis). The flowers of this species were open-centered, single blooms with pendant stems. The hollow stems of these plants, some growing to over 20 feet, were often used for hauling water or as an actual source of water to travelling hunters. In fact the Aztec name for “tree dahlias” was acocotli or water-cane.

About 200 years passed before dahlia seeds, roots, and plants found their way to Europe. Initial breeders of dahlias were more interested in it as a food source since the blooms were not particularly noteworthy. By the early 18th century, however, the first fully double flower forms began to emerge. From 1810 to 1840 dahlias were very popular as nurserymen continued to expand the combinations of colours in dahlias. In 1872 a box of dahlia roots were sent from Mexico to Holland, but only one tuber survived. This single root produced a most spectacular brilliant red bloom with petals that were rolled back and pointed. Plant breeders theno began to successfully combine this new variety (D. juarezii) with parents of early varieties and their progenies have served as the parents of today’s hybrids.

Botanical Name: Dahlia pinnata

Common Names: Dahlia, Pinwheel

Stem Length: 30 to 60 cm

Country of Origin: Mexico, Guatemala

Available Colours: Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow

Season: Summer,Autumn,Spring

Availability: January,February,March,October,November,Decemeber