Dahlia Saint Saens

The 'Saint-Saens' semi cactus Dahlia is a graceful variety of dahlia that catches the eye with its large, yellow, fleshy flowers striped with red, composed of tubular and pointed petals. They are produced abundantly from summer until the first frost, on a bushy plant of beautiful stature. This variety will bring a touch of both soft and warm color to sunny flower beds, and its long stems are perfect for cut flowers. Very beautiful in front of purple or gray foliage!

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the tens of thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world. They are hardy perennials with fleshy tubers that are planted in spring. The 'Saint-Saens' variety was obtained in 1970 in the Netherlands. The plant forms a large clump that can reach 1.20 m (4ft) in height and 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in) in width. It is classified as a cactus dahlia, or more precisely a semi-cactus; it is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the colored ligules of the head partially curl over at least 1/3 of their length. The flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in October-November. The heads measure 12 to 15 cm (5 to 6in) in diameter, and the ligules, of a soft yellow color, are more or less striped with vermillion red. The habit is bushy and erect, and the very branching stems are hollow: they will require staking. Its leaves are opposite, compound, meaning that they are divided into 3 or 5 toothed lobes. The leaves are of a medium green color and the stems are dark green, more or less shaded with purple.

To extend the flowering period and promote new blooms, take care to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly cut them to create attractive colorful bouquets by combining several varieties.

'Saint-Saens' puts on a show in the garden and its personality deserves to be highlighted by isolating it from other variegated blooms. It is preferably associated with foliage plants, such as fennels, physocarpus, shrubby artemisias, Kochias (Bassia scoparia), or grasses such as stipas or crested wheatgrass. It also pairs well with light flowers, in a harmony of colors; scarlet salvias, yellow or orange coreopsis, as well as cosmos, will make good companions without overshadowing its flowering. In flower beds, it will perfectly match echinaceas and heleniums. With tall sedums, it will also create a lovely original mix.

As a star plant for borders and ornamental gardens, dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers, but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. But its poor taste qualities relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.