Dahlia Ice Crystal

The 'Ice Crystal' Dahlia is a relatively tall summer bulb, about 1 m (3ft) in height. The large 15 cm (6in) flowers are typical of cactus dahlias and have long, very slender white petals. The centre is delicately marked with pale yellow, giving it a great refinement. Dahlias are spectacular bulbs that offer an explosion of flowers throughout the summer and are also perfect for bouquets. They are not very hardy and should be planted in late spring or early summer in a rather rich and well-drained soil, and stored away for winter.

The 'Ice Crystal' Cactus Dahlia belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is rich in well-known ornamental plants such as asters, rudbeckias, sunflowers, Dahlias, named after the Swedish botanist Andreas Dahl, are fast-growing tuberous perennials. Discovered in the late 16th century in the high plateaus of Mexico, they were not introduced to Europe until 100 years later. Initially tested for their food potential due to their large fleshy tubers, they quickly became highly sought-after ornamental plants, and breeders soon created countless varieties (there are now 20 to 25,000 known varieties!) with distinct characteristics. The large 3 or 5-lobed leaves are medium to dark green, and flowering extends from July to October.
The 'Ice Crystal' variety belongs to the Cactus dahlias group, which is characterized by large, very slender "petals" that curve inwards along their length. Pure white in color, their base is lightly marked with pale yellow, adding a lot of grace to the 15 cm (6in) diameter flower. The plant forms a dense and bushy shrub that reaches an average height of 1 meter (3 feet).

Plant the 'Ice Crystal' Dahlia in the ground in mid to late spring when frost is no longer a concern. Dahlias prefer a cool and rather rich, well-drained soil. You can take advantage of planting to divide the plant by removing one or more tubers if they have at least one well-developed eye. Staking is recommended, especially if your garden is exposed to wind. Then, simply remove faded flowers as they appear. The robust and hollow stems are also suitable for making bouquets. As soon as the cold returns, it is advisable to dig up the tubers and store them in a dark and dry place such as a garage. The plant is destroyed at temperatures below -6°C (21.2°F) and can only be left in the garden all year round in the mildest regions.
Combine the 'Ice Crystal' Dahlia with other varieties such as 'Tartan' or 'Thomas Edison'. It will also liven up late summer flowerbeds, amidst other later-flowering perennials such as 'Tradescant' Divaricate Aster, Vernonia crinita, or 'Gracillimus' Miscanthus sinensis with its long, slender leaves that will contrast with the coarser foliage of the dahlia.