Dahlia Engelhardts Matador

The Dahlia 'Engelhardt's Matador' is a tall decorative dahlia. The flowering is abundant and long-lasting. Throughout the summer and a good part of autumn, large, regular and very full flowers succeed each other. They are pink-purple, slightly mauve, slightly darker at the center. They rise above a foliage in dense tuft of bronze green marked with purple, particularly dark.

Dahlias belong to the large family of asteraceae, they are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the some 20,000 horticultural varieties obtained by man have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flower. 'Engelhardt's Matador' is classified in the category of decorative Dahlias. In this group, the coloured ligules of the capitulum are arranged regularly in a spiral, they can be bent towards the stem or curled for example. In this variety, the capitulum is 10 cm (4in) in diameter and the outermost ligules are slightly flattened and folded towards the center, of a magnificent pink-purple colour, those found in the center are barely darker. The flowering takes place from July to October. The plant will reach 120 cm (47in) in height, and 50 cm (0 and 20in) in width, the habit is bushy and erect. The very branched stems are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnatisect, that is to say they are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets, which form very denticulate lobes. The leaves and stems are very dark green, bronzed to purplish, a shade that enhances the colour of the flowers.

To promote repeat flowering and extend the flowering period, take care to cut off faded flowers. Even better, regularly compose attractive colourful bouquets by combining various varieties. The tall stature of this variety makes it suitable for the back of perennial borders, where it will blend well with pink, deep purple and purple. The flowering of Echinaceas is perfect in accompaniment to that of Dahlias, they occur simultaneously, as well as the flowering of perennial salvias for example. Also consider grasses which have a very nice effect in autumn.

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