Dahlia

The Dahlia is native mainly in Mexico, but also Central America, and Colombia. It is a member of the Asteraceae plants, with related species including the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum. The shape of the flower is varies greatly, with one head per stem; these can be as small as 5 cm diameter or up to 30 cm or the size of a dinner plate.

Like most plants that do not attract pollinating insects through scent  they are brightly colored within the whole colour spectrum, with the exception of blue. The leaves do have a gorgeous fresh herby scent.

The tubers were grown as a food crop by the Aztecs, but this use largely died out after the Spanish Conquest. Attempts to introduce the tubers as a food crop in Europe  were unsuccessful, as the flower proved much more popular than the tubers. Recently however, some growers are now reintroducing varieties grown for their edible tubers so you might find them in the green grocer, next to the parsnips!

Dahlia are available from late June right up until the first frost. They are a great substitute for when the peonies go out of season as a great focal flower and the soft shades of blush, cream and white. But the richer shades of biscuit, reds and mauve make a great addition to summer bouquets.

You can find our Dahlia Bouquet in the webshop. The Dahlia bouquet features soft pink Dahlia, Snapdragon, Thistles and Clematis.

We also feature Dahlia in the bouquet of the month of August. The biscuit coloured Dahlia are mixed with mauve Roses and scented Stock, along with peach Lisianthus and seasonal foliage.

You can order the August bouquet and all our other seasonal bouquets here