Dahlia Vulcan

Dahlia 'Vulcan' is a vigorous variety that produces large semi-cactus flowers. Its fully double blooms display a vibrant red colour with creamy tips and a yellow reverse. It blooms from July to October. It will bring vibrancy to sunny flower beds, and its long stems are perfect for cut flowers.

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.

The 'Vulcan' variety is classed as a giant dahlia due to its 1 to 2m (3 to 7ft) height and 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in) width. It is also 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 partially curl up for at least 1/3 of their length. Flowering begins in July and ends in October. The heads measure 17cm (7in) in diameter, and the ligules are a reddish-orange colour with cream tips and a yellow reverse. The habit is bushy and erect, and the highly branched stems are hollow. Its leaves are opposite, pinnately divided into 3 or 5 toothed lobes. The leaves and stems are dark green.

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

'Vulcan' pairs particularly well with blue and yellow blooms, especially delphiniums and phlox paniculata. In a flower bed, it will perfectly complement echinaceas, heleniums, and cosmos, for example. It will also create a lovely combination with sedums and miscanthus.

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.