Is Dahlia a Bulb Plant? Let's Learn About Dahlias

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970By Emily Carter 0 views

The flower shape of the dahlia is similar to the peony, which is renowned as a national beauty; its colors are magnificent and varied, making it lovable, and it is one of the world's famous flowers. Mexicans regard it as a symbol of elegance and magnificence, so they honor it as the national flower.

Other Names for Dahlia

Dahlia, also called Dali flower, dahlia chrysanthemum, Tianzhu peony, Oriental chrysanthemum, tiaohua, passionflower and yangju, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family, genus Dahlia.

Morphological Characteristics of Dahlia

The colors of dahlia are brilliant and varied, including red, yellow, orange, purple, white and other colors, very attractive. Double-flowered dahlias have thousand-petal flowers with white petals inlaid with red stripes, like red agates embedded in white jade, extraordinarily enchanting. The dahlia plant is about 1.5 m tall, with opposite leaves that are pinnately compound. Its capitulum has countless yellow tubular florets in the center, and the edges are long and curled ray florets in various brilliant colors; the delicacy of the flower is displayed through them.

Dahlia has thick hammer-shaped fleshy tuberous roots, which store a large amount of nutrients and can be used for its own asexual reproduction. Dahlia is popular for its long flowering period, blooming continuously from autumn to spring; each flower can last 1 month, and the flowering period lasts half a year. In southern China, it blooms from 5 to 11 in spring.

Growth Habits of Dahlia

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. Dahlia is easy to propagate, by sowing, cuttings and root division; it likes sunlight and loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Grafting when just sprouting can produce colorful Dali flowers and dahlia chrysanthemums.

The Flower Language of Dahlia

Dahlia represents elegance and magnificence. Dahlia is elegant and magnificent, comparable to the peony, hence it is also named "Tianzhu peony". Dahlia is native to Mexico, and Mexicans regard it as a symbol of elegance and magnificence, so they honor it as the national flower.

Complete Collection of Dahlia Varieties

1. Shouguang: flower color bright pink, petal tips white, flowers gorgeous, flower diameter 12 cm, plant height 110 cm. A summer and autumn cut flower variety.

2. Chaoyinghua: bright yellow, petal tips white, overlapping round and thick, not showing the flower center, flower diameter 12 cm. Plant height 120 cm. Easy to cultivate.

3. Liren: flower purplish red, petal tips white, flower diameter 10 cm. Plant height 100 cm, strongly upright. A small cut flower variety.

4. Huazi: flower pure purple, flower diameter 12 cm. The best variety among purple lines.

5. Ruibao: flower orange-red, not showing the center, opening in water lily shape, flower diameter 12 cm. An extremely early-flowering variety. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation.

6. Fushou: flower bright red, petal tips with white markings.

7. Jewelry: vermilion in summer and autumn, orange-red after 10 month, flower diameter 12 cm.

8. Xinhuang: flower bright yellow, petal tips white, many flowers. Plant height 90 cm.

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 diameter 12 cm. The plant is compact and coordinated, very beautiful.

Dahlia Picture Appreciation