Dahlia Janicks Symphony

Dahlia 'Janick's Symphony' is a delightful variety of Dahlia called a 'ball' Dahlia, with flowers displaying a refined colouring, washed in pale pink and barely touched with cream-yellow and pale green in the center. Of medium size, slightly flattened pompom shaped, they are 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, holding well in bouquets as well as in borders. Its tender pastel flowers will be magnificent with asters, roses, and baby's breath.

Dahlias are part of the Asteraceae family, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico, and bear inflorescences in heads, commonly known as 'flowers'. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, much to our delight, gardens all over the world.
The 'Janick's Symphony' variety will measure approximately 1m (3ft) in height and 70cm (28in) in diameter after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It is classified as a Dahlia in the decorative group, Ball-type flowers. In this category, the heads have no visible central disc and are composed of numerous petals (ligules) regularly arranged and completely rolled up on themselves, tubular and never expanding. 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 'Janick's Symphony' variety generally measure 9-10cm (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 frequently make bouquets. The very branched, long and sturdy stems are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnately divided, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 very toothed lobes. The leaves are dark green here, and the stems are sometimes tinged with bronze.

To encourage repeat flowering, take care to remove faded flowers or, even better, regularly make large colorful bouquets by combining it with other varieties. 'Janick's Symphony' gives romantic flowers in bouquets, alongside single or pompom varieties, in shades of pink, mauve, and purple. This variety will be enhanced by baby's breath and Statice in pastel shades. In borders, this delightful Dahlia will form a superb duo with cordifolius asters ('Little Carlow') for example, which flower at the same time. Its long, highly-flowered stems allow for beautiful bouquets late in the season.

A star plant in borders and herb gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuber was first grown as a root vegetable for consumption. But its poor taste qualities assigned it 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.