Dahlia Peter

The 'Peter' Dahlia offers beautiful flowers of a good size, similar to large, flattened pompons in a fresh pink colour, actually a brilliant mix of cherry pink, lilac, lavender, and mauve, which are produced abundantly from July to October on a bushy plant. This variety is appreciated for making bouquets full of cheerfulness and freshness.

Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family and are originally from the high plateaus of Mexico. At present, the few 25,000 horticultural varieties obtained by humans have invaded, to our greatest pleasure, gardens all over the world.
The 'Peter' variety, obtained in 1967, reaches a height of 90 cm (35in) to 1.20 m (4ft) with a diameter of 60 cm (24in), depending on the growing conditions. It is classified as a 'ball' dahlia, a horticultural category defined by the shape of the flower. In this group, the heads are larger than in the 'pompom' dahlias but produced abundantly, and the tubular ligules form a flower head that is more or less spherical or flattened and has a regularly alveolate structure, like a beehive. The 'Peter' flowers are about 10 cm (4in) in diameter. The golden heart of the flower only appears late, just before withering. The flowering period is from July to October. The habit is bushy and upright. The highly branched stems are hollow, and the leaves are opposite, pinnately lobed, dividing them into 3 or 5 very toothed lobes. The leaves and stems are fairly dark green.

To encourage reblooming, cut off faded flowers, or even better, regularly make large colourful bouquets by combining them with other varieties. 'Peter' pairs particularly well with English roses' white and pale pink flowers or the mauve phlox paniculata. In flower beds, this dahlia will create very colourful spots in the company of Echinaceas, for example, which bloom simultaneously, as well as daylilies or asters. With its long, highly flowered stems, this variety allows you to enjoy bouquets until late in the season.

The star plant of borders and cottage gardens, dahlias confidently accompany the most beautiful flowers but are also appreciated alongside vegetable plants. This tuberous plant was initially cultivated as a root vegetable for consumption in Mexico. However, its poor taste qualities relegated it to the status of an ornamental plant. Since then, the interest in their beautiful exuberance has never waned.