Dahlia Black Hero

Dahlia 'Black Hero' is a variety of Dahlia called 'ball' with small flowers. These are a beautiful dark purple-red colour, velvety with black reflections. They barely reveal a shy yellow heart. The flowers are spherical pompoms, organized in countless alveoli that play with light and give them relief. The plant, of medium stature, blooms abundantly from summer to frost, on long and sturdy stems, with an impeccable presence in bouquets and flower beds.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico, and bear inflorescences in heads, commonly referred to as 'flowers'. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world.
The 'Black Hero' variety measures approximately 75 to 90cm (30 to 35in) in height and 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) in diameter after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It is classified among the Dahlias of the decorative group with ball-shaped flowers. In this category, the heads are without a visible heart, and they are composed of numerous petals (ligules) regularly arranged and completely rolled up, tubular, never flaring out. This includes varieties that form true balls, such as pompoms (diameter less than 6cm (2in)) and balls (diameter greater than 6cm (2in)). The heads of this variety generally measure 10cm (4in) in diameter. The plant has an upright and bushy habit. The flowering of this variety starts in July and ends in October-November, if care is taken to remove faded flowers or frequently make bouquets. The stems, very branching, long and sturdy, are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnatisect, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 highly toothed lobes. The leaves here are dark green.

If you take care to remove faded flowers, you will enjoy a prolonged flowering. Even more pleasing, create beautiful dense bouquets with the generous dahlias by combining various varieties. Lighten the silhouette of decorative dahlias by pairing them with more airy flowers like Gauras, salvias, or Echinaceas. Fine-leaved plants like grasses play the same role and add beautiful golden spikes. Place 'Black Hero' in the middle of a bed of bushes and lower perennials, in the company of red-flowered plants like daylilies, with touches of yellow and green, consider using lady's mantle with its acid green flowers.

A star plant for borders and cottage gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers, but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuber was first 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 forms and colours, is now considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden.