Mostly we think of dahlias as being packed with hundreds of pointy petals, but often in the garden simplicity is better—and this is where Dahlia 'Mexican Star' comes in. It is in the single-flowered Dahlia category, meaning that it has just one layer of petals. But what petals! Blooming from mid-summer until the first frosts of autumn, the flowers—which are 6cm across—have petals of a mesmerizing, rounded, dark chocolate-red, and a bright yellow disc in the centre.

The blooms of Dahlia 'Mexican Star' are full of depth and drama—and they have a lovely, almost chocolate-like fragrance. Plants will grow to 90-120cm in height, and they are supported by dark stems and lightly bronzed, dark green foliage.

Dahlia 'Mexican Star' is likely to flower a little later than many other Dahlia varieties, so it usefully extends the colour season in your garden. Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers. The blooms look stunning in a sunny mixed border or patio pot. Incidentally, they are perfect for cutting, and bringing indoors, too.

Dahlia 'Mexican Star' is a unique crossing/hybrid between Cosmos atrosanguineus and a Dahlia. It is also known as Dahlia × Cosmos 'Mexican Black'.