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PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GARDEN PLANTS 



DAHLIA 



wild species, all natives of Mexico, and 

 the first plant was introduced just over 

 100 years ago — in 1789 — by the Marchion- 

 ess of Bute. Owing to the ease with 

 which it has been induced by cultivation 

 to produce double flowers, the Dahha has 

 since that period undergone vast changes 

 at the hands of the gardener, and there are 

 now many varieties which may be roughly 

 classified as follows : — 



1. Single DahUas. — These are the 

 outcome of D. coccinea and D. lutea, and 

 are recognised by having a disc of tubular 

 florets, surrounded by the larger and 

 more showy ray florets. For many years 

 the single-flowered Dahlias were sadly 

 neglected owing chiefly to the great strides 

 that were made in raising new forms of 

 the show, fancy, and other sections, with 

 double flowers. Of late years, however, 

 they have again come into favour, and it 

 is not too much to say that in many ways 

 they equal if they do not actually surpass 

 the double forms in beauty and grace when 

 well grown. 



2. Show DahUas. — These include all 

 self-coloured double flowers, and all 

 shaded or having the petals pale and 

 edged with a distinct colour such as pink, 

 purple, crimson, mauve &o. 



3. Fancy Dahlias. — These have two 

 or more colours, and may also have the 

 petals striped or tipped. They are some- 

 what confused with the show varieties. 



4. Cactus or Decorative DahUas. 

 These have arisen from D. Jua/rezi, which 

 was not introduced until about 1872, and 

 was first exhibited in London in Septem- 

 ber 1879, but attracted httle attention. 

 Since then, however, it has developed 

 some of the finest Dahlias in cultivation 

 — recognised by the more or less pointed 

 starry, double flowers. What are known 

 as ' Single ' Cactus Dahlias have been 

 produced of recent years. 



5. Bedding, Bouquet, or Pompon 

 Dahlias. — A section with small beauti- 

 fully symmetrical double flowers. The 

 plants are more dwarf and compact in 

 growth than those of the other sections. 



6. Tom Thumh Dahlias. — This is a 

 very dwarf race, stunted in growth and 

 not quite so free-flowering as the other 

 sections. 



The garden Dahlia on the whole 

 seems to have been evolved by con- 

 tinually crossing and intercrossing the 

 best forms of D. coccinea, D. McrcH 

 and D. variabilis, and there is nothing 



to prevent stUl further complications with 

 the progress of time. 



It would be useless to burden these 

 pages with lists of the varieties in each 

 class, for the simple reason that many, if 

 not most of them, would be quite unknown 

 in twelve months time. Sufiice it to say 

 that between 600 and 800 varieties have 

 been considered distinct enough for 

 naming, so far, and each year several new 

 ones are added. In obtaining a collection, 

 the best plan is to consiilt a good grower 

 as to the best kinds required for any 

 particular purpose, and in any special 

 shade of colour. The catalogues pub- 

 lished annually will be of great assistance. 

 Always select plants that throw the 

 flowers well above the fohage and do not 

 hang their heads. When making a selec- 

 tion of Dahlias it is always the best plan 

 to examine the varieties as they are 

 naturally grown. It vriU then be easy to 

 see those of \'igorous habit and freedom of 

 flowering. When seen at exhibitions the 

 blossoms are naturally displayed to the 

 best advantage to attract attention, and 

 the most floppy flowers can be made to 

 stand as erect as their more vigorous 

 brethren. 



Cultii/re. — DahUas like a rather rich, 

 heavy loam, which should have been well 

 manured and dug some time previous to 

 planting. Except in the southern parts of 

 England and Ireland perhaps, it is hardly 

 safe to put the plants out until about the 

 first or second week in June, accorduig 

 to locality and the season. The plants 

 should not be nearer to each other than 

 4 or 5 feet. It looks a terrible waste of 

 ground at first, but the grovrth of a month 

 or two will show that in some cases at 

 least it is barely sufiicient. 



Each plant should have a strong stout 

 stake about 6 ft. high or more put to it 

 when planted, thus avoiding injury to the 

 roots later on. 



With the advance of time, the strong 

 shoots should be securely tied to the 

 stake, and all weak growths removed, 

 so as to give greater vigour to the remain- 

 ing shoots and blossoms. During summer 

 plenty of water should be given to the 

 roots, and a good mulching of manure 

 will tend to produce larger, finer, and 

 clearer coloured blooms. 



Position. — An aspect facing' south or 

 west is suitable, and if the beds can be 

 protected from rough winds by hedges of 

 other plants, so much the better. 



