English: DID YOU KNOW!!!

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Dahlia

Dahlias are considered one of the most spectacular garden flowers. There is a great variety of form in dahlias, from the showy dinner-plate size to the bright, little single ones. Dahlias are natives of the mountainous regions of Mexico and, although they grow in a warm country, they are actually temperate plants requiring cooler conditions. There are approximately 30 species and 20,000 cultivars of Dahlias.

Description/Taste The Dahlia flower consists of numerous delicate petals that encircle a central yellow core known as the capitulum or floral head. Dahlias can be grown in varying shades of white, yellow, orange, red, pink and purple.

Seasons/Availability Dahlia flower season begins in early spring and continues though summer into early fall.

Current Facts

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae (Aster) family along with daisies and sunflowers. There are over 20,000 different species within the Aster family, it is the second largest family of flowering plants next to the orchid (Orchidaceae) family. The national flower of Mexico, Dahlias today have become one of the most popular competition flowers amongst competitive growers.

Applications

Dahlia's are most commonly used for decorative purposes on cakes, tarts and pastries. Serve alongside cheese or desserts as a garnish. Remove the petals of the Dahlia and add them to grain or green salads to add a pop of color.

Geography/History

Dahlias are native to Mexico where they have been grown for centuries. From there they made their way to Spain via conquistadors who sent seeds of the flower to Madrid along with other seeds of plants and vegetables they had found growing during their explorations. The Dahlia was given its name by botanist and director of the Royal Gardens of Madrid Antonio José Cavanilles, who named the flower after another botanist, Andres Dahl. Dahlias soon spread across Europe and from Mexico to the United States during which time they became an immensely popular garden flower worldwide.

Facts About Dahlias

• The dahlia is named after Swedish 18th-century botanist

       Anders Dahl.

• The dahlia is the official flower of the city of Seattle. • The dahlia originated in Central American in the 16th

       century.

• Spanish Botanists discovered it growing wild on the

       sandy hillsides of Mexico.

• The first tubers arrived in Europe at the end of the 18th

       century, sent over to Madrid by the Spanish settlers in 
       Mexico.

• Andreas Dahl (after whom the plant is named) regarded it

       as a vegetable rather than a garden flower, but interest 
       switched from the edible tubers to the blooms when the 
       first varieties with large, double flowers were bred in 
       Belgium in 1815.

• The favourites in those days were the Ball and Small

       Decorative Dahlias. Now it is the Large Decorative and 
       Cactus varieties which capture the public fancy.

• Dahlia Plants ranging from dwarf bedders (twelve inches

       high) to giants taller than a man. Flowers range in size 
       from an inch to the largest dinner plate.

• The first dahlias were brought to Europe by the early

       explorers and over the centuries, through hybridization, 
       developed the modern dahlia.

• The Dahlia seeds will germinate a little faster when we

       use a heating mat, or place them on top of a refrigerator 
       for heat.

• Dahlia bulbs are a subterranean root system, comprising

       many distinct tubers, each a separate lump. These allow 
       the dahlia plant to mature year after year without the 
       benefit of seed or spores. To sprout the next season, 
       each tuber must have one eye.

• Dahlia pinnata, is referred to garden dahlias, but this

      really is not accurate since all modern dahlias are hybrids 
      between species. The most common hybrids are the 

products of crossing Dahlia coccinea with Dahlia pinnata.