Dahlia Friguolet

Dahlia 'Friguolet' stands out in the garden with its large, highly colourful double flowers. From summer to the first frosts, it is covered with bright red inflorescences with white tips. The plant forms a vigorous, tall clump that is perfect at the back of borders. Its flowers are spectacular in summer and autumn bouquets.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. There are currently thousands of horticultural varieties that have conquered gardens worldwide. They are tender perennials with fleshy tubers. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flowers.

Dahlia 'Friguolet' is classified as a semi-cactus dahlia. In this group, the flowers are large, and the coloured ligules that compose them are completely curled up, giving them a spiky appearance. In this variety, the heads have an average diameter of 12cm (5in) and are composed of long, narrow, incompletely curled, tapering ray florets. The plant will reach a minimum height of 1.3 to 1.5m (4 to 5ft), and a width of 60cm (24in). It has a bushy and upright habit. The branched stems are hollow. The leaves are opposite and compound, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets, which have denticulate lobes. The leaves and stems are a bright green that enhances the colour of the flowers.

Remove faded flowers to encourage new blooms. You can use cut flowers to make colourful bouquets, combining them with other varieties. 

The height of this variety is perfect at the back of perennial borders, where it will pair well with white, deep purple, and purple shades. Echinaceas and perennial salvias are wonderful companions, as they flower simultaneously. Consider grasses like foxtail barley or pennisetum, which are very attractive in autumn.

Dahlias are stars of borders and ornamental gardens, confidently accompanying the most beautiful flowers. However, they are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly saw it categorised as an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.