Beautiful dahlias bring instant joy to any bouquet, whether you’re sending flowers to a friend, treating yourself to a bunch of blooms or adding them to your wedding bouquet.
Blooming in late summer and autumn, these vibrant flowers with delicate, textured petals have beauty in spades. But that’s not all, dahlias are also rich in history and symbolism, with an abundance of charm.
Here are all of our favourite facts about dahlias, including some that may surprise you…
Dahlias meaning and symbolism
In Victorian floriography (aka the language of flowers) dahlias are symbols of love, devotion and beauty. This meaning still rings true today, and you’ll often see dahlias in romantic bouquets, for example Valentine’s Day flowers, or in wedding floral displays. In fact, dahlias are the official flower of a couple’s 14th wedding anniversary.
Each colour of dahlia has its own special meaning too. Red dahlias are seen as a symbol of strength while pink and purple signify kindness. White dahlias represent purity and rebirth, they are often found in wedding bouquets, new baby flowers or sympathy bouquets. On the other hand, for birthdays or engagements, yellow or orange dahlias may feature as a symbol of joy.
Dahlias are native to Mexico
Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America. They were first recorded by Spanish botanists in the 1600s, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that dahlias were first cultivated in Europe. The beautiful bloom reached gardens in the UK via Spain in the 1700s, before finding its way to the United States in the early 1830s. In 1963, dahlias were declared the official flower of Mexico honouring the historical significance and connection with the country.
There are thousands of types of dahlias
Dahlias belong to the Asteraceae family, along with the likes of sunflowers, daisies and chrysanthemums. There are over 40 species of dahlias, and over 57,000 different cultivated varieties registered with the Royal Horticultural Society, all with their own distinctive characteristics. From cactus dahlias to anemone dahlias, some dahlias are dainty, while others can grow to 35cm. Dahlias also come in a variety of colours and shades, with one of largest colour ranges of any flower.
Dahlias were named after a Swedish botanist
While dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America, they are said to be named after 18th century botanist Anders Dahl, a student of the famous Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus. The flower was named in Anders Dahl’s honour by Spanish botanist Antonio José Cavanilles as a recognition of his contributions to botany. However, sadly, Anders Dahl passed away before the naming of the flower.
Dahlias were originally classed as a vegetable
When dahlias were first discovered, they were thought to be a vegetable! This was because dahlia tubers were farmed by the Aztecs as a food crop and became part of the Aztec diet. However, when they arrived in Europe, the dahlia delicacy failed to take off. Instead, Europeans wanted to have dahlias in their gardens and homes, rather than on their plates.
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