Dahlia Topmix Sweetheart

Dahlia 'Topmix Sweetheart', like all dahlias in the Topmix series, is a small, bushy variety that produces a multitude of small, single flowers. This variety bears tricoloured white flowers with a wide border of bright pink around a beautiful golden yellow centre. It blooms for a long time, with buds renewing from summer to autumn on a small, dense bush with beautiful dark green foliage. This easy-to-grow variety is perfect for brightening borders, rockeries, and pots. The cut flowers are beautiful in bouquets

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. There are currently thousands of horticultural varieties that have conquered gardens worldwide. They are tender perennials with fleshy tubers.

'Topmix Sweetheart' falls between the "mignon" and "decorative" categories. The plant will not exceed 40 to 45cm (16 to 18in) in all directions, with a bushy and compact habit that does not require staking. This variety flowers from July to October. What we call "flowers" are actually inflorescences called capitules, measuring about 5cm (2in) in diameter. They resemble simple corollas composed of a row of oval-rounded and almost flat outer ligules. They are white with a wide pink border, arranged around the central disk composed of tiny golden yellow ligules. The branched stems are hollow, and the leaves are opposite and divided into 3 or 5 denticulate lobes. The leaves and stems are a fairly deep green colour.

Remove faded flowers to encourage new blooms. You can use cut flowers to make colourful bouquets, combining them with other varieties. 

'Topmix Sweetheart' pairs particularly well with Salvia nemorosa or S. pratensis in shades of mauve, purple, or white, which temper the vibrancy of the dahlia's flowering. It can also be planted with other varieties from the Topmix series, in a mix of colours. It will create remarkably colourful spots in borders and at the front of flower beds throughout the summer season, alongside catmints, dwarf cosmos, chamomiles, and summer daisies, for example. Also consider pairing it with Pennisetum villosum or P. setaceum 'Rubrum', as well as Stipa pennata, which are attractive, feathery grasses ideal for adding softness, lightness, and delicacy to the overall display. This variety is particularly suitable for container gardening on patios and balconies.

Dahlias are stars of borders and ornamental gardens, confidently accompanying the most beautiful flowers. However, they are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly saw it categorised as an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.