Dahlia Creme de Cassis

The Dahlia 'Creme de Cassis' is a variety that offers decorative purple and prune flowers.

The Dahlia 'Creme de Cassis' is a decorative dahlia that will reach 1m (3ft) in height and 60cm (24in) in width. Its stems are very branched and hollow. Its leaves are opposite and pinnatisect, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets with very denticulate lobes. The stems and leaves are dark green to bronze. The plant has a bushy habit and, as a tall variety, it is essential to encourage its width to strengthen its structure. The flowers of decorative Dahlias are thicker than they are wide and often large. The 'Creme de Cassis' variety flowers are 15cm (6in) in diameter or larger, full and double. Many rows of ligules overlap. Those on the lower levels are often revolute (turned towards the stem), while those on the upper levels are involute, meaning they curve towards the centre of the inflorescence and are almost flat. Purple on the periphery, they become darker towards the centre. The shorter central florets form a bud before they reach maturity. Although this Dahlia is not blue, this variety is exceptional due to its colour. The dahlia flowering period is exceptionally long. Our variety starts flowering in July and continues until October. Removing faded flowers is essential to encourage continuous flowering and extend this period. Even better, regularly cut them to create attractive, colourful bouquets by combining different varieties.

Dahlias are easy to grow, and for a more generous flowering, it is good to follow a few simple rules: they are sun-loving plants that need plenty of sunlight. Plant the tubers in a sunny position once the last frost has passed. Rich, fresh and well-draining soils are welcome. Excessive moisture can cause the tubers to rot. Don't hesitate to amend the soil with compost and sand if necessary.

Dahlias are very melliferous, which is valuable for bees as nectar sources become scarce in autumn. In the middle of a flower bed, these Dahlias will create colourful spots alongside large rudbeckias, heleniums, cosmos, or even sedum accompanied by Pennisetum villosum to bring softness and delicacy to the decor.

A plant with a thousand faces, the Dahlia, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico, now has around 20,000 varieties. This tuberous plant was initially cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. However, its poor taste qualities gave way to its exuberant flowering. Since then, the interest in this highly floriferous Asteraceae has never waned.