Dahlia Double Jill

Dahlia 'Double Jill' is a new variety of ball dahlia whose flowers are generally bi-coloured, in yellow and white. They display touches of purple in the centre and on the periphery. Each flower is different. It looks wonderful in bouquets and flower beds throughout the summer season. A unique, vigorous, and floriferous variety that is easy to grow in the sun in any good garden soil.

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.

Dahlia varieties are classified according to the shape of their heads. 'Double Jill' is a ball-type dahlia. The heads in this category have no visible centre and are composed of numerous petals (ligules) regularly arranged and completely rolled up on themselves. They are tubular and do not flare. The heads of this 'Double Jill' variety generally measure 7 to 8cm (3in) in diameter. The ligules are butter yellow or pure white, sometimes randomly touched with pink-violet to brick on the periphery. The centre of the inflorescence appears almost garnet or amethyst. The plant will reach a height of about 90cm (35in) to 1m (3ft) and a width of 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in), depending on growing conditions. It has an erect habit, and its stems sometimes require staking. Its green leaves are divided into denticulate lobes. Flowering begins in July and ends in October-November, if care is taken to remove faded flowers or cut the stems to make bouquets.

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.

'Double Jill' is an exceptional flower that stands on its own and can be used as a focal plant in tall flower beds, accompanied by white cosmos and white asters, surrounded by grasses and fennels, for example. It can also be paired with purple foliage (Cotinus 'Royal Purple', Physocarpus 'Red Baron', Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace') or silver foliage. Its cut flowers will work wonders on a festive table in autumn.