Dahlia

See Dahlias for contemporary horticultural information about Dahlias.

Brilliant Dahlia

Dahlia - Distinct groups of Dahlias present a fine effect, if the colors are well chosen, and many good effects are spoilt by mixing up tall and dwarf bushy kinds indiscriminately.

To get a good result it is essential to have rich, deep, and moist soil, and to put out strong plants as early as may be safe, so as to secure a good growth or autumn bloom. If planted in May and frost is feared, protect the young plants at night by turning a garden pot over them. Pot roots of the previous year and the more youthful portions of the old stools are particularly valuable for garden beds and borders where a big early display is required. Plant these in April 4 to 6 inches deep. If the soil is not deep, rich, and moist, manure-water should be used. Watering is usually necessary in early growth, afterwards it is not so in moist districts where the plant is well treated as regards depth and quality of soil. In dry places water is essential in most seasons. Staking and tying out the shoots must be attended to, as the stems break early under little wind-pressure. Earwings are great enemies to Dahlias, but can be trapped in small round troughs, which may be got from any pottery. They may also be caught on pieces of Hemlock stem, 6 inches long, by leaving a joint at one end and sticking the pieces here and there through the Dahlias. Small pots, with a little bit of dry Sphagnum Moss inside, inverted on the tops of stakes, also form good traps.

In increasing Dahlias the usual practice is to take up the roots and store them in a dry frost-proof cellar in winter. Dahlias may be propagated by cuttings, root-division, and seed, the last way being used only where new kinds are sought. Cuttings are the means adopted by the specialists, though division of the roots is also practised by the amateur. If started in February or March in a temperature of 60 degrees to 70 degrees F., each crown will produce three or four cuttings every two or three days. These may be taken off close to the crown when about 3 inches long. When the crowns have supplied all the cuttings that can be got from them they may be divided, and therefore nothing is lost. Cuttings may be successfully struck during the summer months; but this is unusual except in the case of choice varieties, or when pot roots are desired for the following year. Three-inch pots are best for putting the cuttings into, one or two in each pot. They should be plunged in a brisk bottom-heat, covered with hand-glasses, and shaded from bright sunshine. In less than a fortnight they will be all rooted, and may be potted off singly into large 3-inch pots.

To raise seedlings, sow the seed in heat in February, and treat the young plants in the same way as cuttings.

As long as the weather keeps mild Dahlia roots are best in the soil, and need not be taken up till the end of November; but should sharp frosts be followed by heavy rain they should be promptly removed from the ground. Lift the roots on a dry day and cut off the stems to within 2 or 3 inches of the crown. Remove the greater portion of the soil from the tubers and lay the latter out in the sun to dry before storing. The floor of a greenhouse where frost can be excluded, or a dry cellar, is a good place to store the roots in. A little ventilation is necessary to keep them from getting mouldy; but a hot, dry atmosphere must also be avoided, as the tubers might shrivel in it. The roots may be kept plump during the winter by storing in soil in a cool place secure from frost.

The species of Dahlia are natives of Mexico and adjacent regions.

Dahlia species - Amongst these we may note the following:

Dahlia coccinea - A tall plant with bright scarlet flowers that rarely vary. Nearly related to it, and differing only in some slight points, is D. Cervantesi, also with showy scarlet flowers.

Dahlia imperialis - Large and graceful much-divided leaves, and flowers of a beautiful French white, thrown up in a great cone-like mass. It rarely flowers in the open air, but it is of service both in the flower garden and conservatory. Planted in rich soil, and placed in a warm, sheltered position in the open air at the end of May, it grows well in summer.

Dahlia juarezi - Now well known. It is the more desirable because of its easy culture, as it requires no different treatment from ordinary Dahlias. It is not quite double, but is very fine in form and brilliant in color, though it flowers somewhat sparsely.

Dahlia variabilis - Supposed parent of all the garden varieties. The wild plant has scarlet flowers like coccinea, and is of similar growth. A packet of seed, however, will yield plants with flowers of all shades, from crimson to white and yellow.

D. glabrata is a beautiful plant of dwarf spreading growth, more slender than any of the other species. The flowers are smaller than those of other kinds, and vary from pure white to deep purple. It is hardier than any other Dahlia, and plants left in the ground are generally uninjured throughout the winter. Its dwarf growth adapts it for positions unsuitable for the latter kinds, and it has a good effect in masses, its color being unlike that of any other Dahlia. It is known also as D. Mercki, repens, and Decaisneana.

Dahlia gracilis - A distinct and graceful plant, with slender stems and finely divided foliage, which gives it a freer habit than any other Dahlia. The bright scarlet flowers are of the ordinary size.

"Cactus" Dahlias - These originated from D. Juarezi, which was introduced from Mexico about 1879, and they retain the characteristic shape of that species, the petals twisted, so to say, and reminding one of those of some of the Cacti. The earlier Cactus Dahlias had one fault—hiding the flowers amongst the leaves; but this is to a large extent changed, so that we have now a beautiful race of garden plants for summer and autumn, with flowers of bold form and charming and varied colors. A new group is formed by the single Cactus kinds. The flowers are quite single, about as large as those of a good single Dahlia of the ordinary type, and with twisted petals.

The following are good garden varieties:—Amos Perry, avoca, Clarisse, Duchess of Sutherland, Eclaire, Erecta, Glare of the Garden, Hon. Mrs Greville, Mauve Queen, Mrs J. H. Usmar, Juarezi, Primrose Queen, Sweet Briar, White Ensign.

Tom Thumb Dahlias

Tom Thumb Dahlias - This is a very dwarf race, the plants forming little bushes, but they are not satisfactory, as they appear not to bloom with great freedom, whilst the growth does not retain its true dwarf character. When true, the habit is compact, dense, and the single flowers borne well above the mass of leaves. Fortunately the colors of the flowers are for the most part simple, and raisers should steer clear of the ugly striped kinds. Dwarfing any flower naturally tall and graceful is a doubtful practice.

"Star" Or "Cosmea-Flowered" Dahlias - These are invaluable for the garden or as cut flowers, and being of medium size, excellent in decoration. Crawley Star, White Star, Yellow Star, Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury are some of them. All are single flowered or semi-double and prodigal bloomers.

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