Dahlia Crazy Legs

Dahlia Crazy Legs is part of these recent varieties of Decorative Dahlias, whose inflorescences are described as stellar. It seduces with its bi-coloured tones with spicy notes, very trendy, mixing on its petals shades of soft orange and bronze, with a curved shape revealing a darker reverse, intermediate between coppery orange and red-pink, in a harmony of colours both contrasting and nostalgic. These medium-sized flowers are carried by long stems ideal for composing bouquets, on a bush filled with abundant, vibrant foliage. The prolific, weather-resistant plant offers a magnificent and constantly renewed spectacle from July until the first frosts.

Dahlias are tuberous plants from the large Asteraceae family, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the some 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, for our greatest pleasure, gardens all over the world. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flowers.

'Crazy Legs', introduced in 1990, is classified in the category of Decorative Dahlias. In this group, the coloured ligules of the head are regularly arranged in a spiral, they can be bent towards the stem or curled for example. In this variety, the heads measure only 7 to 8cm (3in) in diameter and their ligules are rather elongated and convex, slightly curved towards the stem. Flowering takes place from July to October-November. Depending on the ripeness of the flower, the overall orange colour of this variety can take on different shades ranging from more or less peach, with a darker reverse tinged with red, the compact centre of the inflorescence always leaning towards purple. The plant will reach an average height of 1m (3ft), and 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in width, with a bushy, dense and upright habit. The very branched stems are hollow, and the leaves are opposite, pinnately compound, meaning they are divided into 3 or 5 leaflets, which have very denticulate lobes. The leaves are medium green, and the stems, particularly long, are more or less tinged with purple.

To promote flowering and extend the flowering period, take care to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly compose seductive colourful bouquets by combining various varieties. Dahlias go well with gauras and cleomes that will lighten their generous silhouette. The bright and soft flowers of Crazy Legs also allow for numerous combinations in floral arrangements, especially with red flowers. The medium size of this variety makes it suitable for the centre of mixed borders, to structure an ensemble composed of bushy foliage plants (Cotinus, Compact Winged Euonymus, Loropetalum) and lower plants. The flowering of Echinaceas is perfect to accompany that of Dahlias, they occur simultaneously, as well as the flowering of perennial salvias for example. Also consider grasses (Briza media, Miscanthus saccharifolius, Stipa arundinacea, Eragrostis trichodes) that take on beautiful colours in autumn.

As a star plant in ornamental gardens, Dahlias are undoubtedly beautiful flowers, they are perfect in flower beds but can also enhance the vegetable garden. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was first cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste qualities quickly assigned it the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.