Dahlia Kelvin Floodlight

Dahlia 'Kelvin Floodlight' produces enormous double flower heads, 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) wide. They are bright lemon-yellow, composed of countless slightly turbinate petals resembling small flames. They bloom from summer to autumn on a medium-sized plant clad in dark green foliage. Its extraordinary flowers are wonderful in borders and last a long time in bouquets.

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.

'Kelvin Floodlight' will reach about 1m (3ft) in height and 60cm (24in) in width. It is classified among the giant decorative dahlias, which is a horticultural category defined by the shape and size of the flower. In this group, the coloured ligules of the head are regularly arranged in a spiral, and they can be bent towards the stem or curled, for example. It blooms from July to October. The heads measure 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) in diameter. The outer ligules are quite large, flexible, and slightly turbinate. They develop a light-yellow colour, while those in the centre are slightly more lemon-yellow. Its habit is bushy and erect, and the highly branched stems are hollow. Its leaves are opposite and pinnately compound, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 toothed lobes. The leaves and stems are dark green, beautifully enhancing the yellow blooms.

Remove faded flowers to encourage new blooms. You can use cut flowers to make colourful bouquets, combining them with other varieties. 

'Kelvin Floodlight' pairs particularly well with orange, blue, and red blooms, especially those of tithonias, anchusa, perennial delphiniums, and scarlet salvias. In borders, it will perfectly match echinaceas, sunflowers, and cleomes, for example. It will also create a unique and elegant mix with sedums and grasses like miscanthus or panicum.

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.