Dahlia Mick's Peppermint

Dahlia 'Mick's Peppermint' is a highly appreciated variety by gardeners worldwide. It dates back to 1992. From summer to autumn, it produces medium-sized, ruffled flowers that display a delicate colouring. Each white-pink flower is randomly striped and speckled with purple. It will fit well in a large border or a bouquet with a romantic inspiration, in the company of roses and tall asters.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. There are currently thousands of horticultural varieties that have conquered gardens worldwide. They are tender perennials with fleshy tubers.

'Mick's Peppermint' forms a clump 90cm (35in) to 1.3m (4ft) tall and 60 to 90cm (24 to 35in) wide, depending on growing conditions. It is classified as a semi-cactus dahlia, a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the coloured ligules of the head incompletely curl up for at least 1/3 of their length. The flowering of this variety begins in July and ends in October. The heads measure 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in diameter. The ligules are slightly tinted with pink and splattered and streaked with purple-violet. The habit is bushy and erect, and the highly branched stems are hollow. Its leaves are opposite and compound, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 dentate lobes. The leaves and stems are medium green.

Remove faded flowers to encourage new blooms. You can use cut flowers to make colourful bouquets, combining them with other varieties.

With its exotic and fresh flowers, 'Mick's Peppermint' is a spectacle in the garden and in bouquets. It deserves a prominent place in the garden, isolated from variegated blooms. Pair it with round and plump flowers like those of English or old roses, repeat-flowering roses (Desdemona, Lichfield Angel, The Ingenious Mr Fairchild, Young Lycidas). It can also be planted with foliage plants like fennels, or grasses like stipas or crested wheatgrass. It also pairs well with delicate flowers, creating a harmony of colours. White asters, gaura, and Achillea millefolium 'La Perle' will make good companions without overshadowing its flowering. It will perfectly match echinaceas and heleniums in a border.

Dahlias are stars of borders and ornamental gardens, confidently accompanying the most beautiful flowers. However, they are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly saw it categorised as an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.