Dahlia Ice Baby

Dahlia 'Ice Baby' is a variety of Dahlia known as a 'ball' Dahlia, with perfectly white and perfectly spherical flowers. The flowers, slightly flattened pompoms, offer a sense of symmetry that, combined with their uniform colour, evokes perfection. They are organized in countless alveoli that play with light and give them relief. Perfect as bouquet flowers, especially for important events, they are also perfect in the garden, in borders or as foreground plants. While these flowers are held well above the foliage, the plant is of medium size. It blooms abundantly, from summer to frost, on long and sturdy stems, with impeccable posture.

Dahlias are part of the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico, bearing inflorescences in heads, commonly referred to as 'flowers'. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, much to our delight, gardens all over the world.

The 'Ice Baby' variety reaches 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 as a Dahlia in the decorative group, with ball-type flowers. In this category, the heads have no visible centre and are composed of numerous regularly arranged and fully rolled up petals (ligules), which are tubular and never flare out. 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 this variety generally measure 10cm (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 care is taken to remove faded flowers or make bouquets regularly. The stems, very branched, long and sturdy, are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnatisect, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 highly toothed lobes. The leaves are a dark green colour.

If you take care to remove faded flowers, you will benefit from a prolonged flowering. Even more enjoyable, create beautiful, dense bouquets with these generous Dahlias by combining various varieties. Lighten the silhouette of decorative Dahlias by combining them with more airy flowers like Gauras, salvias, or Echinaceas. Plants with fine foliage like grasses play the same role and add beautiful golden spikes. Place 'Ice Baby' in the middle of a bed of bushes and lower perennials, accompanied by white-flowered plants, in a white or red garden, such as daylilies or Gauras.

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.