Page 40 - North Haven Magazine Issue 33 Spring 2024

Be Dazzled By
Be Dazzled By

by Sally Brockett
ahlias are considered one of the greatest flowers to grow. Whether you grow many varieties, and there are 57,000
Dcultivars, or just one or two, you will be rewarded with beauty to enjoy in the garden and to bring into your home. A
single blossom can make a stunning statement or a large bouquet can be the center of attention. Let’s learn more about
these beauties and you may decide to grow them to enjoy this season!

BACKGROUND: Dahlias are believed nist, Johann Gottlieb Georgi. Finally, in
to have originated in Mexico, hav- the 19th century, the name “Dahlia”
ing first been documented in 1525 seemed to become widely accepted.
by the Spanish explorers. They found In 1963 the Dahlia became the nation-
the Aztecs cultivated these flowers al emblem of Mexico, recognizing the
known as acoctili. There are differing land of its origin.
reports on just how the flower was
introduced to Europe. Some records GREAT VARIETY IN SIZE, SHAPE
state that seeds were sent to Europe AND COLOR: Perhaps one of the
by a Spanish botanist, while others reasons for the popularity of Dahlias
report that a French explorer brought is the wide range of sizes, shapes and
samples of the flowers to Europe. But colors. With all this variety, there is
it did not take long before Dahlias be- something that will appeal to every- Dahlias offer many color choices
came popular with many, including one.
those in high society, such as Marie red, lavender, purple and black, light
Antoinette. Years later, these flowers Sizes range from the smallest at 2 blend, bronze, flame, dark blend,
became a favorite of Queen Victoria. inches up to the huge dinner plate variegated and bicolor as official
During the Victorian era, the beautiful blooms that can be over ten inches colors. As Dahlia breeders continue
flowers inspired symbolic meanings wide. You can use a tiny vase with to experiment with new creations,
such as commitment, dignity and el- a button-size bloom, a sturdy vase there could be more colors accept-
egance, meanings that are still associ- with a single dinnerplate blossom ed in the future. There is currently a
ated with Dahlias today. Perhaps this or a huge vase filled with a gorgeous color choice for every season, event
is why brides frequently select Dahlias bouquet of 6–8-inch flowers. and personal favorite. The colors
as their wedding flowers. are available in the various shapes,
Shapes are identified with a clas- so if you want a pink Dahlia, you can
sification code to help bring some choose from among the seventeen
order to the many different shapes. classes of shapes to find the one you
There are seventeen classes, rang- prefer.
ing from those with a single row
of petals like a daisy; cactus petals Dahlias offer the gardener so many
that give a spikey appearance; for- options. It is not surprising that
mal decorative with flat petals in these flowers are so popular! You
an even placement throughout the can start by deciding the size of the
flower; waterlily with a closed cen- blossom you need then either con-
ter and multiple rows of broad and sider the color or the shape you feel
flat ray florets; and peony type with will work best. If you have a special
Tahiti Sunrise is a cactus form open centers with two or more rows color in mind, you can select that
of petals surrounding a disc. It is fas- color and then decide on whether
FIGHTING OVER THE NAME: It cinating to look through the Dahlia you want a formal decorative style
seems that when things are so beau- catalogs and see all the different or maybe a cactus form would fit
tiful, people like to lay claim to them. shapes! the occasion better. Many websites
Despite the early introduction of the allow the user to sort by these op-
flower to Spain, the name “Dahlia” The color choice is immense. There tions to make it easier to find the
originated when Swedish botanist An- are fifteen Dahlia flower color classi- perfect one for you!
ders Dahl was honored. However, this fications officially recognized by the
created some controversy with the American Dahlia Society (ADS). The GROWING DAHLIAS is a lot of fun
Germans who chose to name it “Geor- Society has named white, yellow, and can be done in a variety of ways.
gina” in honor of their famous bota- orange, pink, dark pink, red, dark If space is limited, a few choice se-

40 North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2024