Dahlia Wittemans Best

The Dahlia 'Witteman's Best' (Superba) stands out in flower beds due to its tall stature and large flowers bristling with pointed petals, a crimson red, darkened at the heart with more purplish shades. Flowers with a contemporary style and striking colour will produce tirelessly and abundantly until the first cold on a bed of shiny leaves. This vigorous variety stands out at the back of sunny flower beds and in bold bouquets. For example, combine it with the plumes of amaranths, the fragrance of mignonette, and the silvery mounding of cineraria maritima...

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, to our great pleasure, gardens worldwide. They are hardy perennials with fleshy tubers. The 'Witteman's Best' variety, introduced in 1991, forms a bushy clump about 1.30 m (4ft) high on average and 50-60 m (164-197ft) wide in 3 to 4 months. This cultivar belongs to the decorative dahlias with cactus flowers, or more precisely, semi-cactus; it is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the coloured ligules of the head only partially coil up for at least 1/3 of their length. The flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in October. The heads measure 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) in diameter, with ligules of an intense satin red colour on the outside, darkening significantly towards the small centre of the head, almost appearing purple. The habit is bushy and upright, and the solid, very branched stems are hollow and dark red. Its leaves are opposite, pinnately divided into 3 or 5 toothed lobes. The leaves and stems are shiny and dark green.

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

'Witteman's Best' enhances the pastel and delicate blooms of phlox paniculata, Salvia leucantha, campanulas, cosmos, and other hastate verbenas. It also pairs particularly well with the wine-coloured plumes of foxgloves, castor oil plants, Ysatis, and large daisies. It will also perfectly match Echinaceas, Heleniums, and crested hair grass in flower beds. With Sedums and miscanthus, it will also create a lovely original mix.

As a star plant for borders and herb gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first 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.