The dahlia collection of the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia is in bloom

In terms of the number of varieties and species, the collection of dahlias in the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia is one of the richest - it shows about 270 different species and varieties of dahlias. The collection was started by gardener Ernest Palcers in the 1940s. He worked in the dahlia sector for more than 40 years. One of the white-flowering varieties 'Ernest Palcers' is also named after him. The collection of the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia includes varieties selected both in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan, Russia and other countries. The work on creating an exhibition of dahlias is constantly ongoing, and the collection welcomes visitors in a slightly different form every year.

Wild dahlias are found in Central America. Dahlias were introduced to Europe as ornamental plants only at the end of the 18th century - literature reports that the first dahlia in Europe bloomed in the Madrid Botanical Garden in 1789 from the tubers donated to the garden by the Botanical Garden of Mexico City. Over time, dahlias have become very popular ornamental plants in the garden, with more than 57,000 official varieties (compared to just over 35 species of wild dahlias).

Visitors should note that for the third year in a row the collection of dahlias in the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia has been moved to a new location - in the future the collection can be seen in the meadow behind the Butterfly House. The easiest way to find the location of the new dahlia exhibition is to follow the information instructions.