Dahlia Mondriaan

Dahlia Mondriaan is a decorative dahlia with small, semi-double flowers that evoke water lilies in soft shades of yellow and pink. The flowers are carried well above the foliage on sturdy, not very tall stems. This beautiful flowering can be enjoyed from July until the first frost, both in borders and in bouquets.

Dahlias are tuberous plants belonging to the large family of asters, originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Nowadays, the thousands of horticultural varieties created by humans have invaded gardens all over the world, much to our delight. These tuberous plants are not very hardy. Dahlias are classified according to the shape of their flowers. 'Mondriaan' is classified in the category of decorative dahlias. In this group, the colourful ligules of the head are arranged regularly in a spiral, they can be curved towards the stem or curled, for example. In this variety, the heads measure about 12cm (5in) in diameter and their ligules are widely oval, slightly pleated, almost flat. The flowering takes place from July to October-November. Depending on the ripeness of the flower, the light yellow colour of this variety becomes tinged with pink on the periphery. The plant will reach a height of between 85 and 90cm (34 and 35in) and a width of 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in), with a bushy and erect 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 toothed lobes. The leaves are quite dark green and the stems, which are sturdy, are more or less tinged with purple.

To encourage repeat flowering and extend the flowering period, be sure to remove faded flowers. Even better, regularly create attractive colourful bouquets by combining different varieties. Decorative dahlias go well with Gauras, Cleomes and Statices, which will lighten their generous silhouette. 'Mondriaan' flowers also allow for beautiful combinations in floral compositions, with yellow, orange and white varieties. The modest size of this variety makes it suitable for the centre of mixed borders, to structure a composition made up of bushes with colourful foliage (Physocarpus, Compact Winged Spindle, Loropetalum...) and shorter plants. Also consider ornamental grasses (Briza, small Miscanthus, Stipa, Eragrostis) which take on beautiful colours in autumn.

As the star of cottage gardens, Dahlias are undoubtedly beautiful flowers. They are perfect in a flower bed, but can also enhance a vegetable garden. In Mexico, this tuber was initially grown as a root vegetable for consumption. Its poor taste quickly relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant.