Dahlia Orange Breeze

The 'Orange Breeze' Dahlia is a variety of Dahlia known as a 'ball' Dahlia, with soft orange hues and a slight apricot tone. The petals, gathered at the centre, form a dark pink heart. The heart is illuminated by a yellow infusion in the centre of the petals. Of medium size, with flattened pompom-shaped flowers, they are organized into countless alveoli that play with the light and give them relief. The plant, of fairly tall stature, blooms abundantly from summer until the frosts on long, sturdy, purple stems, both in bouquets and in flower beds. Its vibrant and soft flowers are magnificent with asters or the flowering of grasses.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. They bear inflorescences in heads, which we commonly call 'flowers'. Currently, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world.

The 'Orange Breeze' variety measures about 1m (3ft) in height and 60cm (24in) in diameter after 3 to 4 months of cultivation. It is classified as a decorative group Dahlia with ball-shaped flowers. In this category, the heads have no visible heart and are composed of numerous petals (ligules) that are regularly arranged and completely rolled up on themselves, tubular and never flaring. It includes varieties that form true balls, such as pompoms (less than 6cm (2in) in diameter) and balls (more than 6cm (2in) in diameter). The heads of this 'Orange Breeze' variety generally measure 10cm (4in) in diameter. The plant has an upright and bushy habit. The flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in October-November, if care is taken to remove faded flowers or frequently make bouquets. The very branched stems are long and sturdy, hollow, and the leaves are opposite, pinnately divided into 3 or 5 lobes with toothed edges. The leaves are a medium green and the stems are tinged with purple.

To encourage new blooms, take care to remove faded flowers, or even better, regularly make large colourful bouquets by combining it with other varieties. 'Orange Breeze' produces magnificent flowers in bouquets, alongside varieties with single or pompom flowers, in shades of blue or purple to deep purple. This variety stands out beautifully against the bronze or purple foliage of fennel or the acidic green of lady's mantle. In flower beds, this Dahlia forms highly colourful spots alongside grasses like crested hair grass and cordifolius asters ('Little Carlow'), for example, which flower at the same time. Its long, highly-flowered stems allow for beautiful bouquets late in the season.

As a star plant in borders and herb gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was initially cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. However, its poor taste qualities assigned it the status of an ornamental plant. The Dahlia, with its infinitely varied shapes and colours, is now considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden.