Dahlia Alvas Regalia

Dahlia Alva's Regalia will seduce lovers of dark and distinguished flowers. Its flowers, more or less double, of medium size, have a round and fairly flat shape, gently languid. They are composed of petals with slightly laciniate edges, which sport a dark magenta pink colour almost purple, magnificent in the company of white, pink and mauve flowers. This medium-sized variety, quite old, will bloom from July to September in sunny flower beds or in a large pot on the patio.

Dahlias belong to the large family of Asteraceae, they are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the approximately 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by man have invaded gardens all over the world, to our great pleasure,. Dahlias varieties are classified according to the shape of their heads. 'Alva's Regalia', introduced in 1962, is a decorative Dahlia with medium-sized flowers. The inflorescences are composed of several rows of almost flat, rounded ligules with more or less fringed edges, slightly incurved. The heads measure up to 16 cm (6in) in diameter. Each ligule is very dark purple at the base, and extends into a brighter magenta red hue. The center of the flower is a more ash purple. The plant will reach about 1 m (3ft) in height and 70 cm (28in) in width and has a bushy habit. Its leaves, with a smooth texture, are divided into very denticulate lobes. The flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in September-October, if care is taken to remove faded flowers or to frequently use them to make bouquets.

Today, essential in gardens, Dahlias were initially cultivated in Mexico as a root vegetable. Their poor taste qualities quickly assigned them the rank of ornamental plant, but they are still welcome in the vegetable garden to bring a little colour in the midst of vegetables and supply a stock of cut flowers. Use in combination with a whole range of pink to plum and violet colours, but will be magnified by a setting of grasses (Stipa, Pennisetum, Crested Wheatgrass, Carex...), paniculate phlox, and white or red cosmos.