Dahlia Amber Crystal

Dahlia 'Amber Crystal' is a variety of Dahlia called "ball" whose flowers, as if illuminated from within, display a range of golden and orange shades, creating a striking yet delicate ensemble. Resembling slightly flattened pompoms of medium size, they are organized in countless alveoli that play with light and give them dimension. The tall plant blooms abundantly, from summer to frost, on long and sturdy purple stems, maintaining its impeccable appearance both in bouquets and in borders. Its richly coloured flowers are stunning when paired with asters or golden grasses.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally native to the high plateaus of Mexico. They bear inflorescences in heads, which we commonly call 'flowers'. Nowadays, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, much to our delight, gardens all over the world.

The 'Amber Crystal' variety grows to a height of 1.10 to 1.30 metres (4 feet) and has a diameter of 60cm (24in) after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It is classified as a decorative Dahlia of the Ball type. In this category, the heads have no visible central disk and are composed of numerous regularly arranged and completely rolled tubular petals (ligules), never opening up. It includes varieties that form true balls, such as pompoms (diameter less than 6cm (2in)) and balls (diameter greater than 6cm (2in)). The heads of 'Amber Crystal' generally measure 9cm (4in) in diameter. The plant has an upright and bushy habit. The flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in October-November, if faded flowers are removed or frequently made into bouquets. The branching stems are long and sturdy, hollow, and the leaves are opposite, pinnately divided into 3 or 5 deeply toothed lobes. The leaves are dark green and the stems are tinged with purple.

To promote continuous flowering, make sure to remove faded flowers or, even better, regularly make large colourful bouquets by combining it with other varieties. 'Amber Crystal' produces splendid flowers in bouquets, alongside single or pompom varieties, in shades of yellow, orange, blue, or even mauve to purple. This variety stands out beautifully against the bronze or purple foliage of fennel or the acidic green of lady's mantle. In borders, this joyful Dahlia creates vibrant spots when combined with grasses like foxtail barley and asters cordifolius ('Little Carlow'), for example, which bloom at the same time. Its long, heavily blooming stems allow for bouquets to be enjoyed until late in the season.

As a star plant in borders and cottage 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. The Dahlia, with its infinitely varied shapes and colours, is now considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden.