The name immediately evokes a thriller atmosphere and in fact, the black dahlia was the nickname of the victim of a well-known murder case, which remained unsolved in the United States in the late 1940s. If that episode inspired the writing of screenplays and works of fiction for several years, the flower that inspired that nickname has maintained its charm over time. The black variant of the dahlia can create magnificent color contrasts when combined with other types of plants and flowers in more lively tones. So let’s find out its peculiarities and how to cultivate them.
How to grow the Black Dahlia
Most of us know the dahlia flower for the particular shape of its petals and for the availability of many varieties of colors, bright and spectacular. Less known is the black dahlia, which gives the garden a mysterious charm to which a strong symbolic value is often attributed.
It is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family from Mexico, with tuberous roots grouped in clusters. The beautiful flowers appear in bunches from early summer until early autumn.
The anthocyanins present in the flower accumulate more than the flavones in the petals, giving rise to the blackish color. The rules for growing this plant
Growing this type of perennial in your garden or terrace will ensure you make a great impression when welcoming your guests. One of the advantages of choosing black dahlia is that it is not particularly difficult to plant and care for.
It is necessary to proceed with the planting towards the end of winter, after having dug the special holes in the ground, about 15 centimeters deep. It is a species that prefers moderate exposure to the sun so it is advisable to choose to place the bulbs in a semi-shaded area.
As for irrigation, be careful not to overdo it with water: in order not to make a mistake, it is sufficient to adjust based on the level of humidity of the soil and give water to the plant only when it is dry.
Pruning and fertilization
The pruning of new shoots should be carried out regularly to encourage abundant blooms throughout the summer/autumn period. Don’t worry because it is not a long and tiring job, especially on small plants.
Finally, it is important to remember to fertilize the soil with a product for bulbous plants, approximately every two weeks.
At this point, you just have to choose the right combinations with the other flowers in your green space. You can alternate between black and colored dahlias and other perennials, for a truly spectacular overall effect.
