Dahlia Smoothy

The 'Smoothy' Dahlia is an adorable 'ball' Dahlia that produces many flowers in white balls tinged with pale pink, barely touched with cream yellow and pale green in the centre. Medium-sized, they are organized in countless alveoli that play with the light and give them relief. The plant, of medium stature, blooms abundantly, from summer to frost, on long and sturdy stems, excellent for bouquets as well as mass planting. Its pastel flowers will accompany your most beautiful roses.

Dahlias are plants of the Asteraceae family, originally native to the high plateaus of Mexico, and bear inflorescences in heads, commonly called 'flowers'. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world.
The 'Smoothy' variety will measure on average 1.10m (4ft) in height and 70cm (28in) in diameter after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It is classified among Dahlias of the decorative group with Ball-type flowers. In this category, the heads are without visible hearts, and they are composed of numerous petals (ligules) regularly arranged and completely rolled up on themselves, tubular, never flaring out. This category includes varieties that form true balls, such as pompoms (diameter less than 6cm (2in)) and balls (diameter larger than 6cm (2in)). The heads of this 'Smoothy' variety typically measure 8cm (3in) 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 branching, long and sturdy, are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnatisect, which means they are divided into 3 or 5 very toothed lobes. The leaves here are a fairly light green, just like the stems.

In borders, this delightful Dahlia will form a superb duo with cordifolius asters ('Little Carlow') for example, which bloom at the same time. This variety will also be enhanced by pastel-coloured baby's breath and annual Statice. To encourage re-flowering, take care to remove faded flowers, or even better, make large bouquets regularly. 'Smoothy' produces very good flowers for bouquets. Pair it with single or pompom varieties, in shades of pink, mauve, and purple. It can be used to enhance bouquets until late in the season.

As a star plant for borders and cottage gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers, but are equally appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuber was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. But its poor taste qualities relegated it to the rank of ornamental plant. The Dahlia, with its infinitely varied shapes and colours, is now considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden.