Dahlia Nagano

The Dahlia 'Nagano' is a variety of decorative dahlia with red waterlily-like flowers edged in white that blooms from July to October.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family, they have tuberous and swollen roots. Gathered in bundles, these tubers give rise in late spring to upright, hollow and branching stems. The compound leaves with round leaflets are dentate. The sturdy, fleshy stems, 110cm (43in) tall, are topped with 10cm (4in) diameter heads. The broad, flat, slightly incurved ligules are red edged in white.

The Dahlia 'Nagano' thrives in rich, clay but healthy soil, worked deeply in a warm and sunny position, sheltered from prevailing winds. It languishes in poor, sandy soils.

There are numerous different dahlias that allow for the creation of original and eccentric summer flowerbeds, or more restrained and romantic ones. The gardener can indulge their whims by varying the compositions, combining them with delicate and tousled grasses, echinaceas, heleniums... The colours of the 'Nagano' dahlia, interspersed among silvery artemisias, would enliven a somewhat dreary perennial flowerbed in summer, for example. Don't forget to remove faded blooms to stimulate the opening of new buds, take advantage of having a good supply on hand to create beautiful bouquets.

Tips: When planting, take into account the dimensions for the composition of your flowerbeds.