Dahlia Verrones Obsidian

The Dahlia 'Honka Verrone's Obsidian' is a variety of star-shaped flowers from the Honka series, which stands out with remarkably contrasting flowers with a very dark colour rarely encountered in this category. Its very slender and incurved petals (with rolled edges) throughout the length are almost black, precisely a very dark purplish red. They radiate from the centre of the flower, occupied by a giant heart of golden yellow colour. This compact Dahlia produces black and slender stems adorned with emerald green foliage. An astonishing dahlia will become a focal point in the garden, in beds, borders, or even pots.

Dahlias belong to the aster family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the few 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens worldwide.

The Dahlia 'Honka Black Verrone's Obsidian' is a perennial plant with swollen tuberous roots. Gathered in bundles, these tubers produce upright, hollow, and ramified stems, bearing compound, odd-pinnate leaves with rounded leaflets. The solid, fleshy stems, 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in) tall, are topped by inflorescences called heads, 9 cm (4in) wide. The Honka series is part of the horticultural family of star-shaped Dahlias, defined by the shape of the flower.

Remove faded flowers or regularly make large colourful bouquets to promote floral regrowth by combining them with other varieties. 'Honka Black' pairs particularly well with blue flowers and silver foliage. At the front of beds, this compact Dahlia will attract all eyes, accompanied by Echinaceas or cosmos, for example, which bloom simultaneously, as well as daylilies or asters.

A star of borders and cottage gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. 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, interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.

Tips: When planting, consider the dimensions for the composition of your beds.