Dahlia 'Dominique' (D) — Bushy, clump-forming, tuberous perennial

Overview

Dahlia 'Dominique' (D) is a bushy, clump-forming, tuberous perennial bedding in the genus Dahlia, part of the Asteraceae family, with green, occasionally dark-leaved foliage. Dahlia 'Dominique' (D) grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, containers and cut flowers.

About

Dahlia 'Dominique' is a tuberous, clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae that flowers from July to October. It typically carries green foliage that can be occasionally darker on some plants. Grow it in a south-facing, sheltered spot in loam-based soil that is neutral in pH and kept moist but well drained. Give it full sun for the best display and use stems straight into the vase or in mixed border and container plantings.

About the genus

Dahlias come from the high meadows of Mexico, and somewhere in that heritage is the explanation for how they behave here: tender to frost, hungry, generous beyond all reason. No other plant gives you quite so much for so little. One tuber, planted after the last frost, becomes a shrub's worth of flowers by August — and the more you cut, the more they come.The range is faintly ridiculous. Tight pompoms, spiky cactus types, singles the bees adore, dinner-plates the size of your face. Whatever your garden's mood, there is a dahlia that agrees with it, which is probably why every generation falls out of love with them and then, a decade later, falls straight back in.They're at their best when much of the garden is winding down — late summer into autumn, flowering hard until the first frost calls time. I think of them as the encore. And they always play it.

Written by Henry

In the garden

Dahlia 'Dominique' sits within the Asteraceae and presents as a tuberous, herbaceous perennial that forms compact clumps. Flowering runs from July to October, providing late-summer and autumn interest. Foliage is generally green but some plants show darker leaves, which can add subtle contrast in a border. Plant into a sunny, south-facing position with shelter from prevailing winds. It prefers loam soil with a neutral pH and benefits from moisture that drains freely rather than waterlogged conditions. Site selection is important: full sun and a sheltered aspect will encourage the most reliable flowering across the season. The cultivar is rated H4 (average) for UK hardiness, so consider local winter severity when planning its position. Use Dahlia 'Dominique' at the front or middle of mixed borders, in large containers, or as a source of cut flowers. Its clump-forming habit suits repeat groupings or single-plant specimens in a container. Flowering through July to October makes it useful for extending colour into autumn, and its stems work well for cutting for indoor arrangements.