Dahlia After Dusk

The 'After Dusk' Decorative Dahlia stands out with its large water lily-like flowers, displaying a rich, dark and velvety colour, intermediate between burgundy and chocolate, almost black at the core. Like a twilight mist, their petals are covered with a light silver veil. Carried by brownish-purple stems, resilient against inclement weather, they are superb for making bouquets. This dark dahlia will have its rightful place in flower beds, allowing for beautiful potted flowers. Its freshly picked flowers last a long time in a vase.

Dahlias belong to the large family of Asteraceae, 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. Varieties of Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their heads. 'After Dusk' is a Decorative Dahlia with water lily-like flowers. The flower heads comprise several rows of flat outer ligules, barely curled downwards. The heads are opulent and measure up to 15 cm (6in) in diameter. The ligules are a dark burgundy red, rich in brown to black shades. The centre of the flower, very tight, is composed of small, almost black petals. The plant will reach 80 cm (32in) in height and 50 cm (20in) in width. It has a bushy and compact habit; the strength of its stems does not require any staking. Its dark bronze-green leaves are divided into very denticulate lobes. The long flowering period of this variety begins in July and ends in October-November if faded flowers are removed or bouquets are made frequently.

Today, essential in flower gardens, Dahlias were initially cultivated in Mexico as a root vegetable. Their poor taste qualities quickly assigned them the status of an ornamental plant, but they are still welcome in the vegetable garden to bring some colour amidst the vegetables. 'After Dusk' has multiple uses in flower beds and on the terrace and pairs particularly well with white, pink, and orange flowers and silver foliage.

Our advice: To make bouquets of 'After Dusk' Dahlias, pick them up early in the morning when the flower is fully open.