Dahlia Sneezy

Dahlia 'Sneezy' is a dwarf dahlia that is perfect for borders and pots. It bears an abundance of flowers from summer until the first frost. Its large flowers display a pure white crown of wide, flat petals around a bright yellow heart. The new flowers often hide the faded ones, giving this bush a neat appearance throughout the season. It is almost maintenance-free.   

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.

The 'Sneezy' variety is a dwarf dahlia that will not exceed 50cm (20in) in all directions. It is also classified as a decorative dahlia, which is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the coloured ligules of the capitulum (what we generally call the flower) are arranged regularly in a spiral. They can be bent towards the stem or curled, for example. The flowers of 'Sneezy' measure 8cm (3in) in diameter. The peripheral ligules are pure white. The golden heart of the flower is composed of tiny bright yellow flowers. The flowering period is from July to October, or even November if the weather is mild. Its bushy and compact habit does not require staking. The highly branched stems are hollow. The leaves are opposite and pinnately lobed, meaning they divide into 3 or 5 very toothed lobes. The leaves and stems are a vibrant green.

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

'Sneezy' pairs well with all types of flowers, but works wonders in a white border, on a patio, or in a white garden alongside cosmos, nemesia, and white snapdragons, for example. This dahlia will create colourful spots in borders with daylilies or asters. This modest-sized variety is particularly suitable for container gardening on patios and balconies.

Dahlias are stars of borders and cottage 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.