Dahlia Polka

Dahlia 'Polka' bears a large flower with exotic charm. A golden yellow heart dazzles at the centre of a crown of creamy-pink petals edged with fuchsia. These highly elaborate flowers display a tight cluster of petals at the heart, surrounded by a crown of tubular petals arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Perfect for borders and cut flowers. It should be grown in sunny, fertile soil.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. There are currently thousands of horticultural varieties that have conquered gardens worldwide. They are tender perennials with fleshy tubers.

Dahlia varieties are classified according to the shape of their heads. Dahlia 'Polka' is an anemone-flowered variety. The plant will easily reach a height of 100cm (39in) and a width of 60cm (24in). It has a bushy and upright habit. Its leaves are opposite and are deeply lobed with denticulate edges. The leaves and stems are medium green. Flowering begins in July and ends in October-November, if faded blooms are regularly removed. The inflorescences have a crown of tubular petals arranged in a honeycomb pattern, surrounding a heart filled with tightly packed small petals. The perfectly constructed heads of the 'Polka' variety are 10cm (4in) in diameter. The colour harmony is remarkable, being tender in cream-pink and vibrant in fuchsia and gold.

'Polka' pairs particularly well with flowers with simple forms. This dahlia will create colourful spots in the back of a bed with echinaceas, cosmos, sedum, and salvias. Pennisetum villosum will add softness and delicacy to the arrangement. This variety is ideal for growing in large containers on patios and balconies.

Dahlias are stars of borders and ornamental gardens, confidently accompanying the most beautiful flowers. However, they are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly saw it categorised as an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.