Dahlia Twilight Time

Dahlia 'Twilight Time' is a graceful variety with flowers in opalescent shades. The double and delicate blooms boast a tender lilac-pink colour washed with white, warmed at the heart by a cream hue. This fairly compact variety is perfect for beds and pots on a patio. It will bring an elegant touch to bouquets of asters and wildflowers.

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.

Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their heads. 'Twilight Time', introduced in 1989, is a decorative dahlia. The plant will reach approximately 90cm (35in) in height and 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in width. It has a bushy and erect habit, with opposite leaves, subdivided into denticulate lobes. The leaves and stems are medium green. Flowering begins in July and ends in October-November, if faded blooms are regularly removed. The inflorescences have rows of slightly curled ligules pointing upwards. The flower heads are perfectly constructed, measuring approximately 12cm (5in) in diameter. They are of a beautiful tender lilac-pink colour, which is more pronounced at the periphery. The blooms boast a white centre, and reveal a cream-infused heart. The golden heart only appears late, just before fading.

'Twilight Time' pairs particularly well with pink or violet flowers, especially the full corollas of old perpetual roses or English roses and the delicate heads of Buenos Aires verbena. It will calm the reds and pinks of echinaceas, cosmos, and salvias. Pennisetum villosum, violet gladioli, or Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' will bring softness and delicacy to the arrangement. This variety is ideal for cultivation in large containers 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.