Dahlia Stolze von Berlin

Dahlia 'Stolze von Berlin' is an old German variety whose flowers beautifully combine shades of pink, lilac, and mauve, creating a tender and fresh palette. This variety was obtained in 1914. The plant produces perfectly round flowers, shaped like honeycomb pompoms. They have silky petals. The flowers are relatively small but are produced in abundance on a generous bush. They bloom from July to October. The sturdy stems are not affected by the wind. They are particularly suited for cut flowers. 

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. There are currently thousands of horticultural varieties that have conquered gardens worldwide. They are tender perennials with fleshy tubers.

'Stolze von Berlin' will reach a height of about 1m (3ft) and a diameter of 55cm (22in) after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It is classified as a pompon dahlia, which is is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the heads are very compact, relatively small but abundant, and the tubular ligules form a perfectly spherical inflorescence with a honeycomb-like structure. The flowers of 'Stolze von Berlin' are approximately 5.5cm (2in) in diameter. The peripheral ligules are lighter than those in the centre, but all have a lighter border. The golden heart of the flower only appears late, just before wilting. The flowering period is from July to October. The plant has a bushy and upright habit. The branched, sturdy stems are hollow, and the leaves are opposite and pinnately divided into 3 or 5 deeply toothed lobes. Both the leaves and stems are a vibrant green.

Remove faded flowers to encourage new blooms. You can use cut flowers to make colourful bouquets, combining them with other varieties. 

'Stolze von Berlin' pairs particularly well with purple or white flowers. It stands out beautifully against the green or purple foliage of fennel. In flower beds, this dahlia will create pastel and luminous spots in the company of leucanthemums and Oriental poppies, for example, which bloom at the same time, as well as hemerocallis and asters. This variety is perfect for bouquets.

Dahlias are stars of borders and ornamental gardens, confidently accompanying the most beautiful flowers. However, they are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly saw it categorised as an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.