Dahlia Octopus Sparkle

The Dahlia 'Octopus Sparkle' is a very original anemone-type dahlia that also borrows a lot from the honka type. Its tubular petals, very curled, coral red on the outside, yellow on the inside, surround a very double, fluffy heart, in a mix of yellow and red. Intriguing, its flowers do not go unnoticed in the garden, especially as they are carried high on rigid stems. This highly distinctive dahlia finds its place in an exotic garden as well as in a border with warm colours.

The Dahlias belong to the asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our delight, gardens worldwide. They are plants with fleshy tubers and are not very hardy. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flower. 'Octopus Sparkle', registered in 2024, is classified in the category of Anemone Dahlias. In this group, the colourful ligules of the head are arranged in pompoms in the centre and surrounded by a collar of longer and wider ligules. 'Octopus Sparkle' with beautiful 10 cm star-shaped flowers, develops a very double, fluffy heart of the anemone type, but the ligules surrounding it are of the honka type, with their thin, incurved and detached petals. The overall flower elegantly combines coral red and yellow. The ligules in the centre are shorter, tubular and fringed, packed tightly together like a cushion. Flowering occurs from July to October, even November. The plant will reach a height of 1 m to 1.20 m. The very branched stems are hollow and the leaves are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets, which are toothed. The leaves are of a medium green, while the stems are more or less coppery.

To encourage repeat flowering, make sure to deadhead the flowers, or even better, regularly make colourful bouquets with it by combining it with other varieties in warm colours. 'Octopus Sparkle' pairs particularly well with subtle flowers and purple foliage of bugbanes or coral bells that will not overshadow the delicacy of its flowering. Offer it companions such as love-in-a-mist, cosmos, cornflowers and scabious that bloom at the same time, as well as the purple or violet blooms of asters, Salvia 'Caradonna' and Argentinian vervain. In an exotic garden, it pairs well with cannas bulbs.

Star of borders and cottage gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers as well as the humble ones from the vegetable garden. They allow for beautiful flowering pots or charming bouquets. In Mexico, this tuber was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. But its poor taste qualities relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.