Dahlia Irish Pinwheel

Dahlia 'Irish Pinwheel' is a recent variety that is a bit hard to categorise, possessing a unique charm. This true colour magician with globular inflorescences curiously arranged in a helix changes colour over time, as well as depending on the ambient temperature, ranging from a soft yellow to a sweet red-pink or even orange. The entire inflorescence resembles a flaming pom-pom. Not content with being beautiful, this variety, which is rare in cultivation, also has abundant flowers.  Its flowers allow for the creation of bold and creative borders and bouquets.

Dahlias are tuberous plants from the large aster family, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the approximately 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have arrived in gardens around the world, much to our delight. Dahlias are classified based on the shape of their flowers. 'Irish Pinwheel', introduced in 2008, is classified in the category of Decorative Dahlias, but also in the subgroup of 'stellars'. In this Decorative group, the coloured ligules of the capitulum are regularly arranged in a spiral, and can be curved towards the stem or even fringed, for example. In this variety, the capitula are 10 cm (4in) in diameter and their long ligules have a particular shape, looking a bit twisted. Another characteristic is that these ligules will turn more yellow if it is cool, develop shades of orange to salmon if the temperature rises, and blush with small strokes of red-pink if it is hot. The abundant flowering takes place from July to October. The plant will reach a height of 1.2 m (4ft), and a width of 60 cm (24in), with a bushy and erect habit. The highly 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 and stems are a beautiful dark green.

To promote continuous flowering and extend the flowering period, be sure to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly create charming colourful bouquets by combining various varieties. The tall stature of this variety makes it suitable for the back of perennial borders, of course, to structure a composition of flowering shrubs and shorter perennials. The flowering of Echinaceas is perfect to accompany the Dahlias, as they occur simultaneously, as well as the flowering of perennial salvias, for example. Also consider grasses (Miscanthus saccharifolius, Stipa arundinacea, Eragrostis trichodes) that take on lovely autumn colours, as well as blue or mauve asters to accompany this Irish Pinwheel variety with its warm colour.

Dahlias are the stars of ornamental gardens, undoubtedly beautiful flowers, perfect in flowerbeds, but they can also enhance vegetable gardens. In Mexico, this tuberous plant was initially cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste quickly relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.