Dahlia coccinea Species Mixed Seeds

The simple-flowered dahlias of the 'Dahlia coccinea Species Mixed' selection are stately plants that offer many surprises. Derived from a robust botanical species, the dahlias in this mix bear simple, frill-free flowers that display a broad range of colours. They are either solid or bicoloured and come in pastel hues or more flamboyant ones. The plants flower in the first year from seed, from July to frost, and are capable of surviving short frosts around -7 °C as long as they are protected by a thick mulch and are planted in well-drained soil. They are ideal for adding height to flowerbeds or for filling gaps in perennial borders. Of course, the flowers are absolutely gorgeous in vases.

Dahlias belong to the family Asteraceae and originally came from the Mexican highlands. Dahlia coccinea, also called scarlet dahlia or red dahlia, is native to Mexico and Guatemala. In its native lands, it is found in mountain forests, even at high altitudes. Hybridized with other species such as Dahlia x pinnata, it has produced most of the beautiful hybrids we grow in our gardens. With the renewed interest of gardeners in botanical species that are easier to propagate by sowing, it is possible to find seeds of "wilder" dahlia such as the 'Species Mixed', selected by the English seed company Thompson & Morgan.

Dahlia 'Species Mixed' produce flower stems reaching an average height of 1.25 m and a maximum height of 1.50 m. The plants form bushy mounds that may require staking. They flower from July to October. The capitula, which we call ‘flowers’ present beautiful, simple corollas consisting of a row of open ligulate flowers that come in a broad range of colours; soft or bright hues, in white, purple, orange, gold, pale pink, salmon pink, fuchsia, bright pink or salmon pink with a yellow and garnet red base, or in a richly nuanced gradient of solid or bicolour tones. The central disc is yellow. The stalks are hollow and the leaves are opposite and are subdivided into 3 or 5, highly denticulate lobes. The leaves and stems are of a fairly dark green.

To encourage repeat-flowering and extend the flowering period, take care to remove faded flowers. Better still, cut them regularly to create attractive, colourful bouquets where you can combine them with other varieties.

Dahlias of the 'Species Mixed' selection will form colourful spots on the front of the beds, together with Echinacea, Helenium and Cosmos for example. They go well with the bright flowers of pot marigolds, but also contrast beautifully with the blue spikes of perennial sages. You can also combine them with foxtail barley or Pennisetum villosum, a pretty, feathery grass, that lend a soft, dainty touch to the decor.

A favorite for borders and monastic-type gardens, Dahlias easily combine with the most beautiful flowers as well as the most humble ones in the vegetable garden. They can be used to create beautiful container displays or charming bouquets. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first grown as a root vegetable for human consumption. But its mediocre taste led to it becoming more popular as an ornamental plant. Since then, interest in its beautiful exuberance has never faded.