Dahlia Gerbera

The Decorative Dahlia Gerbera is a recent horticultural creation, although it is still almost impossible to find in the horticultural market. This variety stands out for its particularly flat inflorescences, resembling those of gerberas. They are double, composed of numerous well-ordered pink ligulate flowers in successive layers. The plant forms a medium-sized green and leafy bush. Its tender and uniqiue flowers stand out in flower beds and allow for the creation of generous bouquets that will decorate the house from July to October.

Dahlias are tuberous plants from the large aster family, originally native to the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the approximately 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have appeared, to our great pleasure, in gardens all over the world. Dahlias are classified based on the shape of their flowers. 'Gerbera' is classified in the category of Decorative Dahlias. In this group, the colored ligules of the head are regularly arranged in a spiral, they can be curved towards the stem or fringed, for example. In this variety, the heads are approximately 8-10 cm (3-4in) in diameter and their ligules are very narrow and oval, almost flat. Their color is a fairly light pink. Flowering takes place from July to September-October. The plant will reach approximately 60 to 80 cm (24 to 32in) in height, and 50 cm (20in) in width, with a bushy and upright habit. The very branched stems are hollow and the leaves are divided into very denticulate leaflets. The leaves and stems are medium green.

To promote flowering and extend the flowering period, take care to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly create attractive colourful bouquets by combining various varieties. This 'Gerbera' variety, unusual but refined, deserves a special place in perennial and annual flower beds, accompanied for example by cosmos, penstemons, and large daisies, but also to structure a composition of flowering shrubs (roses, Nandinas, arbustive lavateras, caryopteris) and shorter perennials. The flowering of Echinaceas is perfect when accompanied by Dahlias, as they occur simultaneously, as well as the flowering of perennial salvias or asters, for example. Also, consider grasses (Miscanthus saccharifolius, Stipa arundinacea, Eragrostis trichodes) that take on beautiful colours in autumn.

A star plant in ornamental gardens, Dahlias are undoubtedly very beautiful flowers. They are perfect in flower beds but can also enhance the vegetable garden. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was initially cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly assigned it the rank of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.