Dahlias are members of the Asteraceae plant family, which was formerly called the Compositae family. This older name referred to the type of flowers in this family, which are composite or compound. Dahlia flowers are composed of a central head of disk florets surrounded by an outer ring of ray florets.
Dahlia plants offer the gardener wide diversity in form and flower and are prized for autumn flower displays since it blooms from midsummer to fall. Flower colors include orange, pink, purple, scarlet and white, with blooms from 2-to-12 inches across. The plants range in size from a few inches high up to 20 feet for some wild species.
Dahlias can be grown for the garden or for cutting flowers. Hundreds of hybridized varieties of dahlias are available, usually divided into 10 different classifications or groups that are characterized by the shapes of their flowers. Although dahlias are classified by type according to the shape of their flower petals, they all have the same composite structure with disk and ray florets.
Although dahlia varieties range greatly in size, many of these plants reach a height of 3 to 4 feet, which is generally considered an average or standard height. Quite bushy plants, dahlias grow with several main stems, each developing smaller side stems that bear flower buds throughout the late spring and summer months.
Classification of Dahlia flowers
- Single-Flowering Types
- Double-Flowering Types
Single-flowering dahlia types have a defined central disk bordered by only one to a few rows of outer ray petals. Flowers are usually smaller, to 4 inches in diameter, and plants are generally shorter, to 3 feet tall, than double-flowering types. Some single dahlias look like daisies, having one layer of outer disk petals, while others have several rows of ray flowers. Examples of single Dhalia include:
- Anemone
- Collarette
- Peony
- Orchid-flowering dahlias
Double-flowering dahlias have multiple rows of petals making large flowers, with no clearly visible central disk and they grow taller than single-flowering types, which grow up to 3 feet in height. Examples of double-flowering dahlias include:
- Cactus
- Semi-cactus
- Incurve cactus
- Ball dahlias
- Pompons
- Laciniated
- Mignon
- Formal and informal Dahlia ( Decorative Dahlia)
Overview: Single-Flowering Types
Anemone Dahlias
Anemone Dahlias feature an outer ring of flat ray petals arranged in a wreath and surrounding masses of tiny, elongated disk florets which form an intriguing floral pincushion.
- Dahlia ‘Garden Show‘
‘Garden Show’ is an elegant Anemone-flowered Dahlia which is always a real standout wherever it is grown. It is particularly gorgeous with its ring of flat, pale pink petals, complimented with streaks of raspberry that fade towards the tips. They surround eye-catching masses of tiny elongated creamy-yellow florets that form a lovely central pincushion. A prolific bloomer, its delicate flowers stand up nice and straight even when it rains.
- Dahlia ‘Impression Fabula’
Dahlia ‘Impression Fabula” is a dwarf cultivar of Collarette Dahlia. It is particularly elegant with its deep pink petals adorned with white tips and a ring of white tiny petals at their heart. The delicate flowers stand up nice and straight even when it rains. Best in groups of 5 for best visual effect. Deadhead spent flowers to promote growth of additional flower buds.
- Dahlia ‘Impression Fortuna’
Charming and cheery, Dahlia ‘Impression Fortuna’ is a dwarf cultivar of Collarette Dahlia. It is particularly eye-catching with its bright golden petals adorned with a ring of equally golden tiny petals at their heart. The delicate flowers are held high above the green foliage on straight stems. A great big flower in a vase or floating in a shallow bowl makes the perfect eye-catcher.
Collarette Dahlias
Collarette Dahlias are small to medium flowers with large flat ray petals surrounding an open center. Within the ray and surrounding the center is a wreath of shorter petals, often of a different color: this forms the “collar.”
- Dahlia ‘Impression Fabula’
‘Fabula’ is a dwarf Collarette Dahlia which belongs to the lovely Impression Series primarily bred for bedding and for use on balconies and patios. Dahlia ‘Impression Fabula’ is particularly elegant with its deep pink petals adorned with white tips and a ring of white tiny petals at their heart. The delicate flowers stand up nice and straight even when it rains.
- Dahlia ‘Impression Fantastico’
Dahlia ‘Impression Fantastico’s is a dwarf Collarette Dahlia it is particularly elegant with its purple and magenta petals adorned with a ring of white tiny petals at their heart. The delicate flowers stand up nice and straight even when it rains. A great pick for borders, containers or as cut flowers thanks to its superb vase life.
- Dahlia ‘Impression Festivo’
Festivo’ is a dwarf Collarette, it is particularly elegant with its bright red petals adorned with a ring of creamy tiny petals at their heart. The delicate flowers stand up nice and straight even when it rains. A great big flower in a vase or floating in a shallow bowl makes the perfect eye-catcher.
Peony Dhalia
Peony Dahlias are open centered flowers with two or more rows of large and voluptuous petals surrounding a disc. For many years the most popular Peony-Flowered Dahlia was a cultivar called D. ‘Bishop Llandaff’, an heirloom variety that dates back to 1927. It has open deep-red flowers with nearly black, mahogany foliage.
- Dahlia ‘Bishop of Auckland’
With lacy, deep purple to near black foliage set against masses of glowing red flowers, Dahlia ‘Bishop of Auckland’ is a particularly striking Dahlia. Effect in the garden guaranteed! The single flowers blend in nicely with other plants and add welcomed color and form to the late summer and fall borders. This glorious dahlia variety is considered the best of the Bishop series.
- Dahlia ‘Classic Rosamunde’
Dahlia ‘Classic Rosamunde’ is a particularly attractive Dahlia with masses of warm peach-orange flowers with dark red center discs set against deep bronze to near black foliage. The semi-double flowers of this very floriferous variety are perfectly formed and resemble Japanese anemones. ‘Elise’ belongs to the classic series of dark-leaved dahlias. A great dahlia variety that is perfect for pollinators, lovely in herbaceous borders and stunning in containers.
- Dahlia ‘Classic Rosamunde’
With deep bronze to near black foliage set against masses of bright, cheery pink flowers, Dahlia ‘Classic Rosamunde’ is a particularly attractive Dahlia. The semi-double flowers of this very floriferous variety are perfectly formed and resemble Japanese anemones. ‘Rosamunde’ belongs to the classic series of dark-leaved dahlias. A great pick for borders, containers or as cut flowers thanks to its superb vase life.
- Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’
Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’ is a beautiful addition in the garden thanks to the stunning contrast of its brilliant, coppery orange flowers atop its eggplant-colored foliage. The single flowers blend in nicely with other plants and add welcomed color and form to the late summer and fall borders. They are not top-heavy because they contain little water. They stand up nice and straight even when it rains.
Orchid-flowering Dahlias
Orchid Dahlias are also open centered flowers with one ray of florets surrounding a disc (Single Orchid) or a fully double bloom showing no disc (Double Orchid). The florets involute for two-thirds or more of their length.
- Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’
Slightly fragrant, Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’ is truly charming with its showy, 8-petaled star-shaped deep pink flowers, almost red, gradually blending into a yellow heart. Unlike most Dahlias, it is delicate-looking and has a subtle presence. Its flowers are not top-heavy and stand up nice and straight, even when it rains.
- Dahlia ‘Pink Giraffe’
A fantastic Double Orchid Dahlia, award-winning Dahlia ‘Pink Giraffe’ features pale pink and white flowers with swept-back long petals which roll inward along their length, displaying their darker pink undersides. Low growing and perfect for containers where you can marvel at its unique blooms. Blooming massively from July until Frost, this dahlia grows up to 24 inches (60 cm) and is an excellent choice to create a lovely garden display or for showing.
- Dahlia ‘Honka White’
Slightly fragrant, Dahlia ‘Honka White’ is truly charming with its showy, 8-petaled star-shaped pure white flowers. Unlike most Dahlias, it is delicate-looking and has a subtle presence. Its flowers blend in nicely with other plants and add welcomed color and form to the late summer and fall borders. They are not top-heavy and stand up nice and straight even when it rains. A great pick for borders, containers or as cut flowers thanks to its superb vase life.
Overview: Single-Flowering Types
Cactus and Semi-cactus Dhalia
Cactus and semi-cactus dahlias feature double flowers with long pointed ray petals that revolute or roll back along half their length, giving the flowers a spiky look. Their blooms come in many sizes and most cultivars reach a height of more than 40 inches. Dramatic-looking, their star-like flowerheads stand up well to inclement weather, since they are less weighed down by heavy rain, or blown about by wind, than other dahlia types.
- Dahlia ‘Alfred Grille’
Dahlia ‘Alfred Grille’ is an amazing award-winning Dhalia. It makes quite an impression on onlookers with its profusion of spectacular salmon pink flowers blending to gold at their heart! No wonder it won multiple awards. Just look at it! The fully double flowers fetature elongated velvety petals that curve elegantly towards the face of the bloom and contrast beautifully with the dark green foliage. They are not top-heavy and remain nice and straight even when it rains.
- Dahlia ‘Ace Summer Emotions’
Favorite of many garden enthusiasts, Dahlia ‘Ace Summer Emotions’ features spectacular and huge lilac-pink blossoms delicately blending to white towards their heart. Irresistible! The flowers are as large as 8 inches wide and they are sure to impress you as well as your neighbors. They are not top-heavy because they contain little water. A great dahlia variety that is perfect for pollinators, lovely in herbaceous borders and stunning in containers.
- Dahlia ‘Color Spectacle’
The fabulous cocktail of color provided by Dahlia ‘Color Spectacle’ with its profusion of spectacular coral orange flowers elegantly tipped in white. The fully double flowers feature elegant, elongated velvety petals. When the light hits the bloom they shimmer and it is cheerful and bedazzling to behold. Blooming massively from July until frost, this dahlia grows up to 90-120 cm tall and is an excellent choice to create a long-lasting garden display.
- Dahlia ‘Bridge View Aloha’
The fabulous cocktail of color provided by award-winning Dahlia ‘Bridge View Aloha’ with its profusion of spectacular bright golden flowers flushed with scarlet at their tips! The fully double flowers feature elongated velvety petals and are not to isp-heavy. We could stare into the blooms of this dahlia for days. Blooming prodigiously from midsummer until frost, this dahlia grows up to 56 inches (140 cm) and is an excellent choice to create a lovely garden display or for showing.
- Dahlia ‘Melody Gipsy’
Dahlia ‘Melody Gipsy’ is a magnificent member of the brilliant Melody collection with its masses of showy, semi-double, bright pink flowers delicately exhibiting their creamy-yellow centers. The flowers are incredibly beautiful and remain upright and straight, even when it rains. A compact, very floriferous dahlia that has the appeal of much larger varieties.
- Dahlia ‘Purple Gem’
Dahlia ‘Purple Gem’ is a magnificent and eye-catching dahlia with rich-purple, cactus-shaped blossoms, adorned with elongated petals. When the light hits the blooms, they shimmer and it is bedazzling to behold. The flowers are quite spectacular and absolutely amazing. They are borne atop long, sturdy, burgundy stems and are excellent for cutting.
- Dahlia ‘Verda’
Dahlia ‘Verda’ is a breathtaking beauty which displays sparkling white blossoms radiating out from greenish yellow centers. The flowers of this Semi-Cactus Dahlia are quite spectacular, about 8-10 inches across and absolutely irresistible. They are not top-heavy and stand up nice and straight, even when it rains. Make sure you plant more than you need, as they are fabulous in bouquets too.
- Dahlia ‘Star’s Favorite’
‘Star’s Favorite’ is an award winning Dhalia that quite amazing and breathtaking. It makes quite an impression on onlookers with its profusion of spectacular soft pink flowers blending to ivory at their heart! No wonder it won multiple awards. Just look at it! The fully double flowers feature elongated velvety petals that curve elegantly towards the face of the bloom.
- Dahlia ‘Henriette’
Dahlia ‘Henriette’ is a magnificent and eye-catching dahlia which displays sparkling salmon-pink blossoms, delicately fading to cream towards the tips of their elongated petals. When the light hits the blooms, they shimmer and it is bedazzling to behold. The flowers of this Semi-Cactus Dahlia are quite spectacular and absolutely irresistible. They are not top-heavy and stand up nice and straight, even when it rains.
Pompon and Ball Dahlias
Pompon and Ball Dahlias feature relatively small, fully double, globe-shaped flowers with petals blunt or slightly rounded at their tips. How not to marvel at the perfect petal arrangement of these dahlias? They display an infinite swirl of florets with fold upon fold of incredibly flawless petals.
PomPon Dahlias are almost round in shape with tightly quilled petals. Their flowers are smaller than those of the Ball Dahlias.
Ball Dahlias may be ball-shaped or slightly flattened at the face, with their ray florets blunt, rounded, or indented. Involute for most of their length, fully involute for about one-half their length, and normally displayed in a spiral arrangement.
- Dahlia ‘New Baby’
Dahlia ‘New Baby’ features magnificent orange flowers maturing to vivid vermillion and set against a dark green foliage. The impressive fully double flowers look great among late summer flowering asters and tall grasses. This dahlia grows up to 40 inches tall and is a great pick for borders or as cut flowers thanks to its superb vase life.
- Dahlia ‘Marble Ball’
Dahlia ‘Marble Ball’ features unique and magnificent variegated flowers, a superb mix of purple and white set against a dark green foliage. You will marvel at the fully double flowers, up to 4 inches wide and their perfect petal arrangement, from the center of the flower to the outer edge. If you love growing your own cut flowers, this dahlia will definitely add a different dimension to an arrangement. It’s great for borders, containers or as cut flowers
- Dahlia ‘Jowey Winnie’
Dahlia ‘Jowey Winnie’ features lovely soft salmon-pink flowers contrasting beautifully with the dark green foliage. The impressive fully double flowers look great among late summer flowering asters and tall grasses. Blooming massively from midsummer until frost, this adorable dahlia grows up to 40 inches tall and is an excellent choice to create a lovely garden display or for showing.
- Dahlia ‘Franz Kafka’
Dahlia ‘Franz Kafka’ is a perfectly formed Pompon Dahlia with magnificent, deep pink flowers set against the dark green foliage. The exquisitely shaped globular flowers, up to 2-3 inches wide, resemble lollipops and are among the cutest dahlia flowers. Blooming massively from midsummer until frost, this dahlia grows up to 36 inches tall and is a charming accent in sunny beds and borders or bouquets.
Mignon Dahlias
Mignon Dahlias possess the same formation as Single Dahlias except they have round ray floret tips, their disc flowers have no more than two rows of pollen and their blooms are under two inches in diameter.
- Dahlia ‘Scura’
Compact and bushy, the delicate Mignon Dahlia ‘Scura’ is an adorable dwarf Dahlia producing masses of single, brilliant, rich tangerine orange flowers with dark orange centers. While these flowers are quite tiny, they are absolutely eye-catching, contrasting beautifully with the green black foliage, and so profuse! This Dahlia flowers its heart out!
- Dahlia ‘Magenta Star‘
‘Magenta Star’ features vivid magenta-pink, starry flowers with a dark reddish brown disk illuminated by a golden fringe. The blooms literally glow against the very dark purplish bronze foliage. Tall, this sturdy dahlia variety looks fabulous amongst perennials in a mixed border where its stunning foliage and unusual color can be admired.
- Dahlia ‘Moonfire’
Dahlia ‘Moonfire’ is a particularly gorgeous Dahlia. It features golden orange petals blushed with orange-red at their center, and a dark chocolate disc that glows with flecks of bright golden stamen. The effect is stunning against the dark bronze foliage. No wonder it won multiple awards. The single flowers, up to 3 inches wide add welcomed color and form to the late summer and fall borders.
Decorative Dahlia
Decorative Dalhlias are double dahlias with broad, flat-tipped petals that are sometimes wavy. The flowers are normally large and the plant size varies from giants to compact bedding dahlias. Decorative Dahlias can be formal with flat petals evenly and regularly placed throughout the flowers, or informal with generally flat petals, sometimes slightly rolled at the tips, but with irregular arrangement of formation.
- Dahlia ‘Melody Dora’
Dahlia ‘Melody Dora’ makes quite an impression on onlookers with its masses of pink-salmon flowers fading to orange-yellow towards their heart. Borne on sturdy stems, the fully double flowers contrast beautifully with the lush dark green foliage. This is an excellent choice for beds and borders, patio, deck, or balcony.
- Dahlia ‘April Dawn’
Dahlia ‘April Dawn’ features magnificent white and pale lilac-lavender blooms with splashes of purple at the tips of their elongated petals, elegantly contrasting with their white heart. An informal decorative dahlia with flowers up to 5 inches wide, this Dahlia is a remarkable addition to the garden and a great pastel variety for all sorts of garden situations.
- ‘David Howard’ Dahlia
Dahlia ‘David Howard’ makes quite an impression on onlookers with its profuse and showy vibrant apricot-orange flowers set against the very dark purplish bronze foliage. The fully double flowers are not top-heavy and remain upright and straight, even when it rains. This sturdy dahlia variety looks stunning planted amond deep blue Salvia guaranatica and Verbena bonariensis.