DAHLIA IMPERIALIS 'WHITE' - WHITE BELLY TREE DAHLIA

Dahlia imperialis, or bell-shaped dahlia, is a flowering plant from the Asteraceae family that can reach a height of 8-10 meters. It is native to Mexico, Central America and Colombia. It is a highland and mountain plant growing at an altitude of 1500-1700 meters, and its leaves are used as a dietary supplement by the Q'eqchi people of San Pedro Carchá in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.

The tree-like Dahlia flowers are about 15 cm in diameter and have a gorgeous white flower. The orange middle contrast nicely with the petals. Inflorescences can be up to 90 cm in diameter and contain dozens of flowers that point downward, giving the impression that they are looking down onto the garden.The tree-like dahlia is obviously not a tree, but a bulbous perennial, just like other dahlias. It blooms at the end of the year, late November or early December, so frost can kill flowers in some areas. In our conditions (USDA 5B-7B), it is very difficult to wait for flowers in one season, although this dahlia is very easy to store during the winter at a temperature of about 10-12 degrees C in dry conditions. Despite its gigantic size, the plant does not form strong underground roots, and tubers, like normal dahlias, so there is no problem with digging them up.

The growth rate of this Dalia is incredible. The attractive stalks are 10 cm thick and hollow like bamboo. In fact, the stems were used by the ancient Aztecs as pipes for transporting drinking water.

Dahlia Imperialis is a very voracious plant and properly fertilized and watered, it will pay off with an incredible increase of even several meters in one season.

This dahlia, like most garden dahlias, is not frost-proof, it can withstand occasional frosts, so in our conditions, as I mentioned above, it should be wintered indoors.