History of the dahlia

The Dahlia is originally from the high plateaus of Mexico.

1788 : Spanish botanists discover in “New Spain” (actually Mexico) a plant with marvellous flowers, it's called Acocotli and Chichipatli by the natives.

1789 : During the French revolution, Don Vincente Cervantes sends the first tubers of this plant to Spain.

1790 : First flowering of the plant in the botanical gardens at Madrid.

Father Cavanilles dedicates the flowers to the celebrated Swedish botanist Andreas Dahl by giving them the name Dahlia.

1802 : Following a demand by M.Thiebaut, a doctor attached to the French Embassy in Madrid, the Dahlia arrives in France.

At Versailles this plant was presented as a root vegetable that was eaten by the Mexican natives! It had an acrid taste and so was cultivated for it's ornamental qualities and the search began for new colours.

1804 : New varieties were created.

1808 : The first double Dahlias were produced.

1828 : 454 varieties of dahlias were counted.

Progressivly though, the success of the dahlia diminished.

There are new varieties: Decorative, Single, Collarette, Anemone, Pompon, Semi-Cactus, Cactus, Peony shaped and Waterlily, which has helped safeguarded their growth.

See Classification of Dahlias

The research of professionals : Louis Laurent, Ernest Turc, Antoine Pezant, Victor Tourly, Georges Delbard, Baudrier, Chevalier, Millet, Francilloux, Mollard... and of amateurs Michel Larrodé, B. Manger, A. Dognin and horticultural societies like the French society of Dahlias, who procure the plants, have enabled the dahlia to keep it's place in our gardens...that of a Prince Charming!