When Spanish explorers arrived in Mexico in the sixteenth century, they found dahlias growing in the imperial gardens of the Aztecs, who used them ceremonially, medicinally, and as a food source for their hollow tubers. The Spanish brought them back to Europe, where they caused a sensation — and then, inexplicably, fell out of fashion for a century before returning in a wave of Victorian obsession that has never entirely subsided.
There are now 57,000 registered varieties of dahlia. They come in every colour except blue and true black, and in every size from a modest button to a bloom the size of a dinner plate. They symbolise
inner strength, creativity, and the ability to stand gracefully under pressure.
Their UK season runs from August through October. When dahlias are at their peak, they are among the most spectacular things in floristry — dense, complex, improbably beautiful. If you are reading this in summer, order without hesitation. There is a limited window.
Best wishes, James Hunt MD
Any questions about this flower? Email
enquiries@flowersbyflourish.com — we love to talk about flowers.
Best wishes, James Hunt MD
