What are the characteristics of dahlias? A complete guide
Alternative names for the dahlia
The dahlia, also called dali flower, dahlia chrysanthemum, Indian chrysanthemum, East Asian chrysanthemum, shao flower, passionflower and foreign chrysanthemum, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family, genus Dahlia.
Morphological characteristics of the dahlia
The dahlia's colors are brilliant and varied, with red, yellow, orange, purple, white and other colors, very alluring. Double-flowered dahlias include thousand-petal flowers with white petals edged with red stripes, like red agate set into white jade, extraordinarily enchanting. The dahlia plant grows about1.5m,The leaves are opposite, pinnately compound. Its flower head has countless yellow tubular florets in the center, and the edges are long, curled ray florets in various brilliant colors; the flower's delicacy is displayed through them.
The dahlia has thick, hammer-shaped fleshy tuberous roots, which store a large amount of nutrients and can be used for its own asexual reproduction. The dahlia is popular for its long flowering period, blooming continuously from autumn to spring, with each flower lasting1months, and the flowering period lasting half a year. In southern China it blooms in spring in5—11month.
Growing habits of the dahlia
The dahlia adapts to different climates and soil types across the country, has few pests and diseases, is easy to manage, and is best for propagation. The dahlia is easy to propagate; sowing, cuttings and root division all work. It likes sunlight and loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Grafting when it first sprouts can produce colorful dali flowers and dahlia chrysanthemums.
The dahlia's flower language
The dahlia represents elegance and magnificence. The dahlia is elegant and magnificent, comparable to the tree peony, and thus is also called "Indian chrysanthemum." The dahlia originated in Mexico, and Mexicans regard it as a symbol of generosity and magnificence, and therefore honor it as the national flower.
Complete list of dahlia varieties
1. Shouguang: flower color bright pink, petal tips white, flowers gorgeous, flower diameter12cm, plant height110cm. A cut flower variety for summer and autumn.
2. Chaoyinghua: bright yellow, petal tips white, overlapping and round-thick, not showing the flower center, flower diameter12cm. Plant height120cm. Easy to cultivate.
3. Liren: flower purplish red, petal tips white, flower diameter10cm. Plant height100cm, strongly upright. A small cut flower variety.
4. Huazi: flower pure purple, flower diameter12cm. The best variety among the purple series.
5. Ruibao: flower orange-red, not showing the center, opening in a water lily shape, flower diameter12cm. An extremely early-flowering variety. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation.
6. Fushou: flower bright red, petal tips with white spots.
7. Jewel: vermilion in summer and autumn,10after the month the flower is orange-red, flower diameter12cm.
8. Xinhuang: flower bright yellow, petal tips white, many flowers. Plant height90cm.
9. Hongfei: flower deep red, leaves upright, many branches, easy to cultivate.
10. Xinquan: flower bright red, petal edges white, beautiful flower shape, an extremely early-flowering variety.
11. Hongzan: flower pink, petals round, rose-shaped, flower diameter12cm. The plant is compact and harmonious, very beautiful.
Dahlia picture appreciation