Dahlia Bohemian Spartacus

Classed among the decorative, the Dahlia 'Bohemian Spartacus' has very large garnet red flowers enhanced with orange-yellow spots. It is a plant of great stature that will accompany the flowering of your garden until the heart of autumn.

Dahlias belong to the large family of asteraceae, they are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the approximately 20,000 horticultural varieties obtained by man have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world. The flowers of decorative Dahlias are thicker than they are wide and are often large. The heads of 'Bohemian Spartacus' are 22 to 25 cm (9 to 10in) in diameter; they are exceptionally large, full and very double. Many rows of ligules overlap. Those of the lower levels are often revolute (turned towards the stem), while those of the upper levels are inflexed towards the center and very concave. The colour is a dark garnet red slightly variegated with yellow and has an interesting velvety appearance. The shorter central florets form an even darker bud, almost black before ripening. The dense and leafy tuft of its bushy habit will reach 90 cm (35in) up to 1.50 m (5ft) in height and 80 cm (32in) in width. Its very branched stems are hollow and its leaves are opposite, dividing into 3 or 5 very denticulate leaflets. The stems and leaves are medium green. Its large size will undoubtedly require staking or at least pinching the stems early in the season to strengthen it.

The flowering of Dahlias is long, starting in July and ending in November. Take care to remove faded flowers or regularly cut the flowers to create seductive colourful bouquets. This operation will stimulate the regrowth of buds throughout this period.
Dahlias are easy to grow, they only need a sunny location and a soil enriched with organic matter, however, they require some work as the bulbs need to be stored in winter.
In the background of a border, the airy foliage of bronze fennel and that of lady's mantle will enhance the texture of your giant Dahlia varieties. Add a few Helen's flower (Helenium Hoopesii) in old gold colour to perfect a refined and romantic tableau.