Dahlia Bahia Blanca

The 'Bahia Blanca' decorative Dahlia presents us with its lovely little white flowers, whose rounded shape and regularity recall ball Dahlias. A candid flower, with only its little heart warmed with cream. They are borne at the end of thin but sturdy stems, well suited for making bouquets. The spectacle of this elegant and luminous flowering is constantly renewed from July until the first frost.

Dahlias are tuberous plants from the large Asteraceae family, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our greatest pleasure, gardens all over the world. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flowers. 'Bahia Blanca', registered in the Netherlands in 2021, is classified in the category of decorative Dahlias. In this group, the colourful ligules of the head are arranged regularly in a spiral, they can be bent towards the stem or curled, for example. In this variety, the heads measure 12cm (5in) in diameter and their ligules are rather small, oval, partially rolled up, arranged regularly. Flowering takes place from July to October-November. The plant reaches about 1m (3ft) in height, and 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in width, with a bushy and erect habit. The very branched stems are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnatisect, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets, which form very denticulate lobes. The leaves are a fairly dark green and the stems, sturdy, are a lighter green.

To promote new flowerings and extend the flowering period, take care to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly compose attractive colourful bouquets by combining different varieties. Decorative Dahlias go well with medium-height ornamental grasses and Gauras that lighten their generous silhouette. Their flowers also allow for numerous associations in floral compositions. The medium size of this variety makes it suitable for the centre of mixed borders, to structure an ensemble composed of Weigela x florida Ebony and Ivory® shrubs, for example. The flowering of Echinaceas is perfect to accompany that of Dahlias, as they occur simultaneously.

As a star plant in cottage gardens, Dahlias are undoubtedly essential flowers in the garden. They are impeccable in flower beds, but can also enhance the vegetable garden. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.