Dahlia Nenekasi

The Dahlia Nenekasi is a variety of Dahlia with cactus lace flowers that are almost impossible to find on the market. It is distinguished by its tender tousled flowers, painted with stunning shades of pale salmon pink with a champagne base, each petal finely edged with purple-violet. The flower's center is enhanced by this darker tone. This variety will flower from July until the first frost as long as faded flowers are regularly removed. This intermediate-sized variety is well-suited for structuring a medium-height bed. Its flowers are very long-lasting in bouquets.

Dahlias belong to the asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the approximately 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded gardens around the world, much to our delight. They are tender perennials with fleshy tubers. The 'Nenekasi' variety reaches a height of 80 cm (32in) to over 1 m (3ft), depending on growing conditions, with a 60 cm (24in) spread. It is classified as a cactus dahlia, more precisely a cactus lace dahlia; this is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the coloured ligules of the head completely curl, giving them a characteristic pointed appearance, and their ends seem to have been cut into forks. The flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in October-November. The heads measure 15 to 18 cm (6 to 7in) in diameter, with ligules in a pale pink-orange colour, champagne at the base, more or less marked with light purple-lilac. The habit is bushy and upright, and the highly branched stems are hollow. Its leaves are opposite, pinnately compound, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 strongly toothed lobes. The leaves and stems are medium green.

To extend the flowering period and promote repeat flowering, take care to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly cut them to create alluring colourful bouquets by combining several varieties.

'Nenekasi' pairs particularly well with white blooms, especially those of repeat-flowering roses or asters. In a flower bed, it will harmonize perfectly with perennial Blue Cloud geraniums, pink echinaceas, heleniums, and pastel-toned cosmos, for example. It will also create a lovely original mix with sedums and miscanthus.

As a star plant in borders and cottage gardens, dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was initially cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. However, its poor taste qualities relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.