Dahlia Rainbow Silence

Dahlia 'Rainbow Silence' is a magnificent variety with cactus flowers, offering large, graphic and brilliantly coloured flowers, from summer to autumn. Its beautiful inflorescences display a very bright coral pink colour, illuminated by a soft yellow centre, which truly catches the eye. This medium-sized variety is well suited to the back of perennial borders and its flowering shines among grasses or companion bush roses in harmonious colours. Its flowers are very long-lasting in bouquets.

Dahlias are tuberous plants from the large family of Asteraceae, originally from the Mexican highlands. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world. They are non-hardy perennials with fleshy tubers. The 'Rainbow Silence' variety, registered in 2019, will reach about 1m (3ft) in height, depending on growing conditions, with a spread of 60cm (24in). It is classified among the Cactus Dahlias; this is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the coloured "petals" or ligules of the head curl, giving them a characteristic pointed appearance. Flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in October-November. The heads measure 15-16cm (6in) in diameter. The habit is bushy and erect, and the highly branched stems are hollow. Its leaves are opposite, compound, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 toothed lobes. The leaves are a medium green, with more or less purple stems.

To extend the flowering period and promote repeat flowering, make sure to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly cut them to create attractive colourful bouquets by combining several varieties. 'Rainbow Silence' pairs particularly well with purple blooms, especially those of roses, but also with the spikes of Hordeum jubatum (squirrel-tail barley). In borders, it will perfectly complement blue hardy geraniums, catnips, as well as blue or purple salvias, for example.

As a star plant for borders and ornamental 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. But its poor taste qualities assigned it the rank of ornamental plant.