DAHLIA

Pronounced DAY-lee-a, dahlias were first recorded by Westerners in 1615, when they were called by their Mexican name, acoctli. They disappeared from record until 1787 when a botanical expedition 'rediscovered' them, and sent seeds back to their headquarters in Europe. Their existence was kept secret for another ten years however.

Dahlia, in botanical terms, is a Mexican genus of perennial garden composites with large brightly coloured flowers and tuberous roots. The name of this flower or plant originates from the name of the Swedish botanist Andreas Daul (1751-89). The flower, available in an assorted range of colours is a gardener’s favourite, and is popularly attached with notions of dignity, elegance and good taste

The native forms are quite simple and daisy-like, but breeding has resulted in some wonderful flower forms, including complete globes full of petals (pompoms), spiky and spidery forms (cactuses), and ones with curled tubes of petals like sea anemones. Dahlias and chrysanthemums with many-petalled flowers are closely related and often hard to tell apart. Dahlias have hollow stems, with raised joints where the leaves attach. Their leaves are smooth, usually with points, whereas chrysanthemum leaves are soft, with rounded edges.

Dahlias are native to Mexico and South America, and have the vibrant intense colours associated with that part of the world.

Dahlia's are a summer flower, and are available between June and October. The National Collection of dahlias is held at Varfell Farm, Long Rock, Penzance, Cornwall. For a few days each September the collection is open to the public, when over 10,000 dahlias can be seen in full flower, against the stunning backdrop of St. Michael's Mount.

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