Dahlia

Description:

Dahlia. There are at least 36 species of this dahlia flower. Dahlias need sunlight. They generally bloom from midsummer to first frost. They range in color and size from the giant 10" to the 2" lollipop size. The flower petals contain a very strong dye, which on wool yields colors ranging from yellow and bronze to red. Wild mountain dahilas were a source for a red dye used by the Aztecs.

Habitat:

This lovely dahlia flowering plant was spotted in a garden at the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC.