These tuberous herbaceous perennials have upright branched stems and form a clump. They have divided mid green leaves and the large colourful flower heads appear in a variety of forms and colours throughout summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Dahlia hybrida is naturally found from Mexico, North America to Central America. They prefer an organic rich moist but well drained sandy to light clay loam that is tending acidic with a pH range from 6.5 to 7.0 in a wind protected sunny position and are drought and frost tender.

There are two basic types the first is low bedding Dahlias which are commonly grown from seed and are treated as annuals. This type are used in bedding displays or mass planted along pathway edges.

The second is upright border Dahlias which are grown from tubers and can overwinter in the soil or in cool regions are lifted and replanted in spring. These plants are grown along garden borders in small or cottage gardens and commonly used for cut flowers. There are over 20,000 cultivars and are classified according to the form of the flower head and placed into 11-broad groups. ID 67

Dahlia(DAH-lee-a) hybrida

'Dahlia': after Swedish botanist Andreas Dahl.

Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)     
(Compositae)
Sunflower Family