Dahlia Dazzling Sun

The 'Dazzling Sun' Decorative Dahlia is a variety with large double flowers of the "dinnerplate" type, measuring 20 cm across. Evoking the sun, it produces a flower with broad bright yellow petals delicately edged in red, intensified by a vibrant red centre. This variety forms a beautiful flowering bush from July to October. It pairs well with gauras and cleomes, for example, which lighten its generous silhouette. Its bright flowers also allow for numerous combinations in bouquets.

Dahlias are tuberous plants from the large Asteraceae family, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the some 25,000 horticultural varieties created by humans have spread, much to our delight, to gardens worldwide. Dahlias are classified based on the shape of their flowers. 'Dazzling Sun' is categorized as a Decorative Dahlia. In this group, the colourful ligules of the head are arranged regularly in a spiral, they can be bent towards the stem or even frilled, for instance. In this variety, the heads reach up to 20 cm in diameter and their ligules are flattened and wide, oval-shaped. Flowering occurs from July to October. The plant reaches a height of 90 cm to 1 m, and a width of 50 to 60 cm, with a bushy and erect habit. The highly branched stems are hollow, and the leaves are opposite, pinnatisect, meaning they divide into 3 or 5 leaflets, which have very denticulate lobes. The leaves and stems are medium green.

To encourage repeat flowering and extend the flowering period, be sure to deadhead the flowers. Better yet, create enticing colourful bouquets by combining various varieties. The stature of this variety makes it suitable in the midst of perennial beds, of course, to structure a setting composed of flowering shrubs (Cotinus, Compact Winged Spindle, Loropetalum) and lower perennials. The flowering of Coneflowers is a perfect complement to Dahlias, as they bloom simultaneously, as do perennial salvias, for example. Also consider grasses (Miscanthus saccharifolius, Stipa arundinacea, Eragrostis trichodes) that display lovely autumnal hues.

As a star plant in cottage gardens, Dahlias are undoubtedly beautiful flowers, perfect for flower beds but also a great addition to the vegetable garden. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was initially grown as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste quickly relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.