Dahlia Hemisphere

The 'Hemisphere' Decorative Dahlia offers charming flowers, resembling water lilies, of medium size, beautifully bicolour, all different. They compose, in a vase as well as in the garden, subtly variegated bouquets ranging from pink to violet-red and white. The flowers are semi-double, well open, of medium size, carried well above the foliage by sturdy stems, of a rather dark colour. And the sight of this flowering is constantly renewed from July until the frost. 

Dahlias are tuberous plants of the large family of asters, they are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by man have invaded, to our greatest pleasure, gardens all over the world. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flowers. 'Hemisphere' is classified in the category of Decorative Dahlias. In this group, the colored ligules of the head are arranged regularly in a spiral, they can be bent towards the stem or curled for example. In this variety, the heads measure between 10 and 12cm in diameter and their ligules are rather large, widely ovate, almost flat, arranged like those of water lilies. The flowering takes place from July to October-November. Depending on the maturity of the flower, but also depending on each individual, the ligules or petals are more or less coloured and streaked with violet tones on a white background. The plant will reach a height of 90cm (35in) on average, and 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in width, the habit is bushy and upright. The very branched stems are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnately divided, that is to say, they are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets, which form very denticulate lobes. The leaves are fairly dark green and the stems, sturdy, more or less tinged with purple. 

To promote flowering and extend the flowering period, be sure to remove faded flowers. Better yet, regularly compose attractive colourful bouquets by combining various varieties. Decorative Dahlias go well with Gauras and Cleomes which will lighten their generous silhouette. The flowers of 'Hemisphere' also allow many associations in floral compositions, with the small cluster roses of 'Bouquet Parfait' and Statices for example. The average size of this variety makes it suitable for the centre of mixed borders, to structure a composition of colourful foliage shrubs and lower plants. The flowering of Echinaceas is perfect as an accompaniment to Dahlias, they bloom simultaneously, as do shrub salvias for example. Also consider grasses that take on beautiful colours in autumn. 

A star plant in kitchen gardens, Dahlias are undoubtedly beautiful flowers, they are impeccable in a flower bed, but can also enhance the vegetable garden. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable to be consumed. Its poor taste qualities quickly assigned it the rank of an ornamental plant.