OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS. 
3 
with the largest florets at the edge, and decreasing gradually towards the centre, where frequently they are raised 
into what is called a crown. The outer florets should be broader and flatter than the inner ones, which are 
always more or less tubular, preserving the character of disk florets, though of the same colour as those of the 
ray. When there is a crown, the florets composing it should be placed quite close together, so as entirely to hide 
the disk ; as, if either green or yellow be seen in the centre of any Dahlia, it is disqualified from becoming a 
prize flower. The colour is of no consequence, provided it be clear and bright ; and the size is also of little 
importance, unless the Dahlia be naturally one with large-sized flowers. 
The greater number of Dahlias now grown in gardens, have been raised from D. variahilis, which varies so 
much from seed, that dark and light crimson, dark and light scarlet, salmon-coloured, lilac, dark purple, and 
striped flowers, have been raised from the seeds taken out of one single head of florets. 
D. coccinea or frustanea only varies from scarlet to orange and yellow, and rarely produces double flowers. 
It is said not to hybridize with D. varialilis. The most common colours among Dahlias are purple and crimson 
in various shades. A pure scarlet was at first rare, but it is now tolerably frequent. There are now also many 
yellows and oranges, but a perfectly pure white, or bright light rose, is rarely met with. No blue Dahlia has 
yet been seen, and even the dark purples have always a reddish tinge. The outer florets are sometimes so much 
recurved as to make the flowers look ball-shaped, and these are called Globe Dahlias. Sometimes there is only a 
single row of broad flat florets, while the inner ones are erect and tubular ; and these are called Anemone-flowered. 
For several years after the rage for double flowers commenced, the only species of Dahlia cultivated in 
British gardens were D. variahilis, or superjlua, and D. coccinea^ or frustanea ; the kind called by Cavanilles 
D. rosea having disappeared. Within the last few years, however, several new species have been introduced ; 
and it is probable more will be discovered as the Flora of Central America becomes better known. 
The Culture op the Dahlia requires great care and attention. The soil should be composed of equal 
parts of sand and loam, enriched with part of an old hotbed, some very rotten cow-dung, or decayed leaves. 
Fresh stable dung is unsuitable, as it will produce strong stems andjarge leaves rather than fine flowers. The 
ground should be well drained, as, though Dahlias require plenty of moisture, they are soon killed if their roots 
have access to stagnant water. Many cultivators put a deep layer of stones and brickbats at the bottom of the 
bed, so as to prevent the possibility of water accumulating about the roots. The tubers, having been kept in a 
dry moderately cool place during winter, are generally planted in pots in February or March, and plunged into 
a slight hotbed to start them, as the florists term it. They are afterwards removed to the open ground, when 
they have begun to grow. Or the tubers may be planted at once in the open ground without starting ; the tall 
kinds in May or June, and the dwarf early flowerers in April. The tubers should be planted in rows, about two 
or three feet apart every way ; or in quincunx, about five feet apart in the row, and the rows three feet apart. 
The situation of the bed should be open and exposed to the sun ; and if the weather prove dry, the young plants 
should be frequently and regularly watered. In planting, care should be taken to arrange the tubers so that 
the colours may harmonise agreeably. Thus the purples and crimsons, and the crimsons and scarlets, may be 
separated by yellow, white, or buff, and the salmon-coloured and buff may be separated by white. Dahlias will 
degenerate if grown more than one year in the same bed without fresh soil or manure. "When Dahlias are 
planted, that have been started in pots, all the earth in the pot should be turned into the hole made to receive it 
