Dahlia Martina

The Dahlia 'Martina' is a variety of dahlia known as a "ball" dahlia that will seduce with its perfectly formed pink pompom flowers, of modest size but dazzling, and produced profusely on a sturdy plant. Precisely organised in multiple alveoli, widely coloured from pink to purplish-pink on a white background, they have a strong silhouette and stand out in flower beds. Carried by sturdy stems, they are perfect for cut flowers.

Dahlias belong to the asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. Currently, the approximately 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our greatest pleasure, gardens all over the world. The 'Martina' variety, registered in 2004, will reach approximately 1.10m (4ft) in height with a diameter of 70cm (28in). It is a decorative dahlia classified among the ball dahlias; it is a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the flower heads are of modest size (7 to 9cm (3 to 4in)), but produced abundantly, and the ligulate florets form a perfectly spherical inflorescence that has a cell-like structure, a bit like a beehive. The flowers of 'Martina' are globular and have a diameter of about 9cm (4in). The ligules, white at the base, are brushed with pale pink and finely bordered with purplish-pink, lightening over time. The golden heart of the flower only appears late, just before fading. The flowering, abundant, takes place from July to October. The habit is bushy and upright. The highly branched stems are hollow and the leaves are opposite, pinnately lobed, that is, they are subdivided into 3 or 5 very toothed lobes. The stems are purplish-green and the leaves are dark green.

To promote repeat flowering, take care to remove faded flowers, or better yet, regularly make large colourful bouquets by combining it with other varieties. 'Martina' shines in flower beds of white, pink, blue, or violet flowers. It pairs perfectly with grasses and bellflowers. Also associate it with echinaceas that bloom at the same time as well as asters, tall daisies. This variety with long, highly flowered stems allows you to enhance bouquets late in the season.

As a star plant in borders and cottage 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 assigned it the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.