Dahlia Ninas Choice

Dahlia 'Nina's Choice' is a variety of Dahlia called 'ball' with bi-coloured flowers that display a fresh and vibrant colour. Dressed in white, their petals are adorned with tips of a deep pink shade. Fairly small, in the form of round pompoms, their petals are also highlighted with chartreuse yellow towards the centre. The low-growing plant blooms abundantly, from summer to frost on sturdy reddish stems, maintaining a pristine appearance in bouquets as well as in border plantings. Its bi-coloured flowers create lovely contrasts with pink and white or lemon yellow flowers, such as those of Penstemons, Echinaceas, columbines, for example.

Dahlias are part of the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. They bear inflorescences called 'capitules,' which we commonly refer to as 'flowers.' Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties created by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens worldwide.

The 'Nina's Choice' variety reaches a height of about 50cm (20in) and has a diameter of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It belongs to the Decorative Group of Dahlias with ball-shaped flowers. In this category, the capitules have no visible centre and are composed of numerous regularly arranged petals (ligules) that are completely rolled up, tubular, and never flaring. This group includes varieties that form true balls, such as pompoms (with a diameter less than 6cm (2in)) and balls (with a diameter greater than 6cm (2in)). The capitules of this variety generally measure 9-10cm (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 faded flowers are regularly removed or used in bouquets. The very branched, long, and sturdy stems are hollow, and the leaves are opposite, pinnate with 3 or 5 deeply toothed lobes. The leaves are medium green, and the stems are tinged with purple.

To promote continuous flowering, take care to remove faded flowers, or even better, regularly make large colorful bouquets by combining it with other varieties. 'Nina's Choice' brightens up bouquets, alongside single or pompom-shaped varieties in white, blue, pink, yellow, or mauve to purple. This variety pairs well with the acidic green foliage of lady's mantle. In borders, this vibrant Dahlia creates bright spots alongside grasses like squirrel-tail barley and cordifolius asters, for example, which bloom at the same time. Its flowers can be used to adorn bouquets well into the late season.

As a star plant in borders and ornamental 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 led it to be designated as an ornamental plant. The Dahlia, with its infinitely varied shapes and colours, is now considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden.