Pictures of Flowers Dahlia Pictures and Dahlia Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 6, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Dahlia Pictures and Dahlia Kind

Dahlia is a flowering plant native to Mexico, Central America and northern South America. More than 35 species of dahlias exist and several hybrids are grown as garden plants. Initially, dahlias were cultivated by Aztecs (ethnic groups of central Mexico) for food, ceremonies and decorative purposes. Aztecs also used long woody stem of one of the species as pipes. Later on, the species were taken to Europe by Spaniards and soon it spread throughout the world in different climates.

Dahlias are many-branched plants that grow from underground tubers, with stalks ranging in height up to 20-30 feet, usual height being 1-8 feet. Dahlia flowers can be as small as 5 cm in diameter up to 30 cm (one foot), size of dinner plate. Flowers may grow as single or double with colors ranging from white to nearly in black and in all hues and tones except blue. Although a sunny location and light soil are ideally suitable for dahlia but they can also be grown in partial sunlight and in almost any soil that is not waterlogged. Tubers should be planted 2-3 feet apart and around four-inched deep when the soil is warm. Dahlia plants should be watered regularly especially while blossoming.