Dahlia Quinty

Dahlia 'Quinty' is a variety of Dahlia known as a 'ball' Dahlia with small, variable flowers that can be described as tricolour: pure white at the tips, then a gradient from pink to red, and a very dark red as you get closer to the centre of the flower. Not all flowers are identical. The small flowers are pom-pom shaped, slightly flattened, and are organized in countless cells that play with the light, giving them texture, and the contrast of colours adds even more to their beauty. The plant, of fairly tall stature, blooms abundantly from summer to frost on long and sturdy stems, looking impeccable in bouquets as well as in flower beds. Its graphical and contrasting colouration is magnificent when paired with red, pink, and white perennial flowers, as well as with golden grasses.

Dahlias are part of the Asteraceae family, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico, and they bear capitulum inflorescences, commonly referred to as 'flowers'. Nowadays, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world.
The 'Quinty' variety measures approximately 1m (3ft) in height and 50cm (20in) in diameter after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It is classified as a Dahlia of the decorative group with Ball type flowers. In this category, the capitula have no visible centre and are composed of numerous regularly arranged and completely rolled-up petals (ligules), tubular and never opening. This includes varieties that form true balls, such as pompoms (diameter less than 6cm (2in)) and balls (diameter greater than 6cm (2in)). The capitula of the 'Quinty' variety 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 you take care to remove faded flowers or frequently make bouquets with them. The very branched, long, and sturdy stems are hollow, and the leaves are opposite, pinnately lobed, with 3 or 5 very toothed lobes. The leaves are dark green in this case.

To encourage repeat flowering, make sure to remove faded flowers, or even better, regularly make large colourful bouquets by combining them with other varieties. 'Quinty' produces very cheerful flowers in bouquets, alongside single or pompom-type varieties, in white, pink, red, or purple. Its long, highly flowered stems allow for bouquets to be enjoyed well into the late season. In flower beds, this Dahlia creates truly colourful spots when paired with grasses such as crested hairgrass and daylilies or coneflowers, for example, which also bloom at the same time. Also consider pairing it with the 'Bizarre' Gladiolus, which has a red and white bicolour flowering.

As a star plant for 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 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.