Dahlia Fuzzy Wuzzy

The Fuzzy wuzzy dahlia is a recent variety created to shine and be admired, both in the garden and in bouquets. Its medium-sized flower, with slightly serrated petals, appears a bit blurred, but it is brilliantly coloured in a gradient of pink that ends with a white tip on each petal. They are produced throughout the beautiful season by a plant of sturdy stems, excellent for vase arrangements. A variety with a unique personality!

Dahlias are tuberous plants from the large family of Asteraceae, originally native to the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the approximately 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have appeared in gardens worldwide, much to our delight. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flower. 'Fuzzy wuzzy', introduced in 2000, 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 curved towards the stem or fringed, for example. In this variety, the heads are 7-8 cm (3in) in diameter and their ligules are wide and short, slightly tubular in the center, slightly toothed at the edges, with a deep pink colour at the base that gradually becomes lighter towards the more or less marked white tip. Flowering occurs from July to October. The vigorous plant will reach a height of 1.20 meters (4 feet) and a width of 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in), with a bushy and upright habit. The highly branched stems are hollow and the leaves are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets, which have very toothed lobes. The leaves and stems are a fairly dark green colour.

To promote repeat flowering and extend the flowering period, take care to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly create charming colourful bouquets by combining various varieties. The beautiful size of this variety makes it suitable for the background of perennial borders or for structuring a composition of flowering shrubs (Cotinus, Compact Winged Euonymus, Loropetalum) and lower perennials. The bright pink colour of this Fuzzy wuzzy variety will complement pink Dahlias, mauve Dahlias, red like Charles de Gaulle, purple, or even 'black' Dahlias. The flowering of Echinaceas is perfect alongside that of Dahlias, as well as that of perennial salvias, for example. Also consider grasses (Foxtail Barley, Miscanthus saccharifolius, Stipa arundinacea, Eragrostis trichodes) which take on lovely autumnal hues.

As star plants in borders and herb gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was initially cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. However, its poor taste qualities relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.