Whites with a track record
Breeding has produced white in almost every dahlia shape. 'White Ballet' and 'Gallery Art Fair' are big, fully double types, 'Le Castel' has the flat look of a waterlily and 'Ryecroft Jan' makes near-perfect balls. All four hold the Award of Garden Merit. For contrast try 'Twyning's After Eight', which has plain white flowers with a yellow centre above almost black foliage.
Keeping white looking white
A single brown petal shows up instantly on white. Irish summers make this a real task, because rain bruises the soft, double heads and damp air encourages grey mould.
- Remove spent flowers every few days rather than weekly.
- Where you can, plant by a wall or under an eave so heads dry quickly.
- Cut flowers for the house when the bloom is almost fully open, since buds will not open after cutting.
- Stand stems in fresh, cool water, where they last roughly five to eight days.
Where white fits in the year
Traditionally white stands for purity and calm, which is why people think of it for weddings. Dahlias flower from July in the garden, so they suit August and September weddings far better than a First Communion or Confirmation in spring. A single large white bloom floating in a shallow bowl makes a complete table centrepiece.
Pet note
According to the ASPCA, dahlias are toxic to dogs, cats and horses, causing mild gastrointestinal upset and mild dermatitis.
