Dahlia Hartenaas Obs

This Collerette Dahlia 'Hartenaas' is a rather compact variety, very floriferous, well suited for perennial beds, borders, and flowering pots. Its pink flower, of modest size, well open, is adorned with a pretty tone-on-tone collar and a golden centre that bees love. A simple and charming flowering, which is renewed for several weeks.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the thousands of horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our great pleasure, gardens all over the world. The Dahlia is a herbaceous perennial plant due to its tuber, a reserve organ that allows it to pass the bad season in a resting and dry state.
The 'Hartenass' variety is classified among the Collarette Dahlias, which is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the coloured ligules of the head are regularly arranged in a crown around a collar of small petals surrounding the central disk. The 'Hartenaas' flowers are approximately 7-8cm (3in) in diameter. The flowering takes place from July to October. The habit is bushy, with the plant reaching approximately 55cm (22in) in height. The very branched stems are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnately lobed, which means they are divided into 3 or 5 very toothed lobes. The leaves are green and the stems are more or less tinged with copper.

To promote flowering again, take care to cut faded flowers, or even better, regularly make large colourful bouquets by associating it with other varieties. 'Hartenaas' goes particularly well with white flowers (foxgloves, baby's breath) or mauve ones (Nepetas, Agastache Serpentine, Anchusa 'Dropmore'). The dark foliage of Physocarpus or Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing' also enhances its very pretty pink flowers.

As a star plant in borders and herb gardens, Dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers, but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. But its poor taste qualities assigned it to the rank of an ornamental plant.