Dahlia is a genus of tuberous flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to the highlands of Mexico and Central America, where around 42 wild species have been documented growing at elevations between 1,500 and 3,700 meters. The genus was named in honor of Swedish botanist Anders Dahl in the late 18th century, and since its introduction to European gardens in the 1780s, it has been so extensively hybridized that the American Dahlia Society currently recognizes over 57,000 registered cultivars — a number that continues to grow as breeders worldwide develop new varieties each year.
Dahlias range dramatically in size, from compact bedding types just 12 inches tall to dinner plate varieties that can reach 5 to 6 feet in height with individual blooms measuring 10 to 12 inches or more across. They bloom from midsummer until the first hard frost, providing one of the longest flower display windows of any garden plant, and a single well-tended plant can produce dozens to hundreds of blooms in a single season. The global dahlia industry is substantial, with the Netherlands alone exporting hundreds of millions of dahlia tubers annually to markets across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Dahlias are classified into numerous flower form categories by the American Dahlia Society and the Royal Horticultural Society, including single, anemone, collarette, waterlily, decorative, ball, pompon, cactus, semi-cactus, and miscellaneous types, each defined by the arrangement, shape, and number of petals. This extraordinary diversity of form means that dahlias can suit virtually any garden style, from formal cutting gardens and cottage borders to tropical-themed landscapes and container displays. Colors span nearly the entire spectrum, with the notable exception of true blue, and breeders continue working toward that elusive goal through ongoing hybridization programs.
Dahlias thrive in full sun with at least six to eight hours of direct light daily and prefer rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture and regular feeding. In most of the United States and temperate regions of the world, dahlia tubers must be lifted and stored indoors over winter, as they are cold hardy only in USDA zones 8 through 11 where frosts are light or absent. Despite this extra effort, dahlias reward gardeners with an unmatched combination of diversity, color, and abundance that has made them one of the most popular cut flowers and garden plants in the world for over two centuries.
Also Read: When Is The Best Time to Plant Dahlias?
Types of Dahlia Flowers And How To Identify Them
Bishop of Llandaff
Bishop of Llandaff is one of the most iconic and widely recognized dahlias ever bred, celebrated for its dramatic combination of dark, almost black-burgundy foliage and vivid scarlet-red peony-style flowers. Introduced in 1928, it has remained in continuous cultivation for nearly a century, a testament to its outstanding garden performance and visual impact. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall, blooms prolifically from midsummer to frost, and performs well in USDA zones 8 to 11 as a perennial, or zones 3 to 7 with tuber lifting.
Café au Lait
Café au Lait is arguably the most fashionable dahlia of the past decade, beloved by florists and garden designers for its enormous blooms in soft, creamy tones of blush, peach, champagne, and warm ivory. Individual flowers can reach 8 to 10 inches across on plants growing 4 to 5 feet tall, making it a showstopping presence in the cutting garden. Its muted, romantic tones pair effortlessly with virtually any other flower color, which explains its dominance in wedding floristry and lifestyle media.
Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison is a classic decorative dahlia producing large, deep royal-purple blooms on tall, vigorous plants that can reach 4 to 5 feet in height. Introduced in 1929 and named for the famous inventor, it remains one of the benchmark purple dahlias in cultivation and is a staple of dahlia societies and exhibition growers worldwide. Its rich, saturated color holds well in both garden and vase, making it equally popular as a landscape specimen and a cut flower.
Labyrinth
Labyrinth is a stunning decorative dahlia with large, intricately layered blooms in a breathtaking blend of soft peach, apricot, and cream tones that shift and deepen toward the center of the flower. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and produces blooms up to 8 inches across, making it a premier choice for cutting gardens and dahlia enthusiasts who favor soft, warm color palettes. Its complex, swirling petal arrangement gives each bloom an almost hypnotic quality that earned it the labyrinth name.
Karma Choc
Karma Choc is a waterlily-form dahlia producing medium-sized blooms in an exceptionally deep, velvety chocolate-maroon color that is among the darkest of any dahlia cultivar. Part of the Karma series bred specifically for the cut flower industry, it has excellent stem length, long vase life, and strong disease resistance. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and pairs dramatically with soft pink, peach, and white dahlias for high-contrast floral arrangements.
Also Read: How to Grow and Care for Dahlias
Bishop of Auckland
Bishop of Auckland is one of several outstanding cultivars in the Bishop series, producing single flowers in deep magenta-crimson above foliage that is almost as dark as Bishop of Llandaff. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a bushy, well-branched habit and blooms continuously from midsummer to frost, attracting bees and butterflies throughout the season. Hardy as a perennial in USDA zones 8 to 11, it offers exceptional garden performance with minimal care.
Mystic Illusion
Mystic Illusion is a compact, dark-foliaged dahlia producing cheerful single flowers in bright golden-yellow with a contrasting dark center, creating a bold sunflower-like effect on a small-scale plant. It stays under 2 feet in height, making it ideal for containers, front-of-border planting, and small urban gardens where space is limited. Its dark foliage provides a dramatic backdrop for the vivid yellow blooms throughout the entire growing season.
Pinnacle
Pinnacle is a large decorative dahlia producing blooms in a striking bicolor combination of white petals tipped and edged with soft lavender-purple, giving each flower an ethereal, almost luminous quality. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong, upright stems well suited to cutting, and the unusual coloring makes it a standout in both garden borders and floral arrangements. Pinnacle is particularly popular among dahlia exhibitors and specialty cut flower growers.
Nuit d’Été
Nuit d’Été, meaning Summer Night in French, is a ball dahlia producing perfectly rounded blooms in deep, velvety burgundy-black tones that are among the most dramatic in the ball dahlia category. The tightly spiraled petals form a precise geometric sphere of rich dark color that looks almost sculptural in both the garden and the vase. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is prized by floral designers for its architectural form and intense, moody color.
Pompon Poème
Pompon Poème is a classic pompon dahlia producing perfectly spherical, miniature blooms in soft lavender-purple tones on wiry, long stems ideal for cutting. Pompon dahlias are defined by their fully double, ball-shaped blooms under 2 inches in diameter, and Poème exemplifies the precision and charm of the type. Plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and produce an abundance of blooms throughout the season, making them highly productive for cutting garden use.
Hamari Gold
Hamari Gold is a giant decorative dahlia producing enormous, warm golden-orange blooms that can reach 10 inches or more across on tall, robust plants growing 4 to 5 feet in height. It is a longstanding exhibition favorite, frequently appearing in dahlia society show schedules as a benchmark for the decorative giant class. Its rich, saturated color and large, perfectly formed blooms make it one of the most impressive dahlias available for both garden display and competitive exhibition.
Chat Noir
Chat Noir is a small ball or formal decorative dahlia with deeply colored blooms in dark maroon to near-black tones, prized by floral designers for the dramatic depth and contrast it brings to mixed arrangements. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a prolific, well-branched habit and produces an abundance of stems throughout the season. Chat Noir pairs particularly well with blush, peach, and white flowers in romantic, moody floral designs.
Jowey Winnie
Jowey Winnie is part of the celebrated Jowey series developed for the cut flower industry, producing small ball dahlias in soft, warm pink tones with excellent stem length and vase life. The Jowey series was specifically bred to meet the demands of professional florists, and Winnie consistently delivers the reliable performance and consistent bloom quality those professionals require. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is among the most commercially important dahlia series currently in production.
Hollyhill Black Beauty
Hollyhill Black Beauty is a medium-sized decorative dahlia with some of the deepest, most saturated dark red to near-black coloring available in the decorative flower form. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong, upright stems and produces blooms reliably from midsummer through frost. Its extraordinary color depth makes it a favorite among both garden designers seeking dramatic contrast and florists working with dark, moody floral palettes.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a striking bicolor cactus dahlia with narrow, pointed, reflexed petals in a vivid combination of deep purple and white that creates a dramatically spiky, almost starburst appearance. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with the strong, upright stems characteristic of good cactus dahlias and produces blooms prolifically through the season. The sharp contrast between the deep purple and clean white in each bloom makes it one of the most visually distinctive cactus dahlias available.
Also Read: Types of White Dahlia Flowers
Ferncliff Copper
Ferncliff Copper is a large semi-cactus dahlia in warm copper-orange tones, bred by the Ferncliff Gardens in British Columbia, one of the most respected dahlia breeding operations in North America. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and produces large, well-formed blooms with the slightly incurved, quilled petals characteristic of the semi-cactus type. Its warm, glowing color is particularly beautiful in late afternoon light, and it performs well as both a garden specimen and a cut flower.
Cornel Brons
Cornel Brons is a medium decorative dahlia in rich bronze-orange tones, widely grown both in gardens and for cut flower production across Europe and North America. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a prolific, branching habit and produces well-formed, consistently sized blooms throughout the season. Its warm, earthy tones make it a versatile cut flower that pairs well with a wide range of companion colors in arrangements.
Garden Wonder
Garden Wonder is a large, semi-cactus dahlia in vivid orange-red tones, valued for its vigorous growth, reliable blooming, and strong stems that hold blooms upright without staking. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and produces an abundance of large, well-formed blooms from midsummer through frost. Its clean, saturated color and reliable garden performance make it a popular choice for both home gardeners and professional cut flower producers.
Mystique
Mystique is a waterlily dahlia producing medium-sized blooms in rich, velvety deep magenta-purple tones with a subtle layering of petals that creates an elegant, almost lotus-like appearance. Waterlily dahlias are characterized by their flat to slightly cupped, fully double blooms with broad, gently curved petals that suggest the floating serenity of a water lily. Mystique grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is popular among florists for its elegant form and rich color.
Kelvin Floodlight
Kelvin Floodlight is one of the most celebrated giant decorative dahlias in the world, capable of producing blooms measuring 12 to 14 inches across in pure, luminous yellow on plants growing 4 to 5 feet tall. It is a perennial favorite on the dahlia show circuit, regularly appearing in giant decorative classes at national and international dahlia exhibitions. Its sheer scale and perfect form make it one of the most impressive single blooms achievable in the entire plant kingdom.
Also Read: Types of Red Dahlias
Hollyhill Spiderman
Hollyhill Spiderman is a large cactus dahlia with exceptionally long, narrow, fully reflexed petals in vivid orange-red tones, creating an dramatically spiky, almost alien-like flower form. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong stems and produces blooms that are as arresting in the garden as they are in floral arrangements. The extreme petal length and reflexing of the cactus form are taken to their furthest expression in this cultivar.
Fascination
Fascination is a compact, peony-form dahlia in warm, glowing pink-magenta tones, widely grown as a bedding and container plant due to its naturally bushy, self-branching habit and prolific bloom production. It typically stays under 18 to 24 inches tall, making it one of the better dahlias for smaller gardens and patio containers. Its open, anemone-like flowers are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, adding wildlife value to its considerable ornamental appeal.
Ace Summer Sunset
Ace Summer Sunset is a large decorative dahlia in a warm, multi-toned blend of orange, peach, and gold that shifts and varies across the petals, making each bloom subtly unique. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong, upright stems and produces large, well-formed blooms reliably from midsummer to frost. The sunset-inspired color palette makes it a natural partner for other warm-toned dahlias, zinnias, and marigolds in late summer and autumn garden compositions.
Blyton Softer Gleam
Blyton Softer Gleam is a medium-sized ball dahlia in soft, warm apricot-peach tones, valued for its perfectly rounded, tightly spiraled blooms and excellent stem length for cutting. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces blooms consistently throughout the season with good weather tolerance. The soft, warm color is particularly sought after by florists working with romantic, feminine floral palettes.
Pom Pom Jive
Pom Pom Jive is a miniature pompon dahlia producing tiny, perfectly spherical blooms in vivid orange with a cheerful, playful character that belies the precision of the pompon flower form. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces an extraordinary abundance of small, uniform blooms on long, wiry stems throughout the season. The miniature scale and cheerful color make it a natural choice for small arrangements, bud vases, and mixed bouquets where a burst of warm color is needed.
Tsuki Yori No Shisha
Tsuki Yori No Shisha, a Japanese cultivar whose name translates roughly as Emissary from the Moon, is a large cactus dahlia producing blooms in an ethereal combination of white and soft lavender-purple. Its long, quilled, reflexed petals in these pale, moonlit tones give it an otherworldly quality that is unlike most other dahlias. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and is prized by collectors and specialty growers for its unusual and romantic coloring.
Preference
Preference is a large waterlily dahlia in soft pink tones, regarded by many growers as the definitive waterlily dahlia for both exhibition and cut flower use. Its broad, gently curving petals are arranged in precise, overlapping layers that create a bloom of exceptional elegance and refinement. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with strong, upright stems and performs reliably across a wide range of climates and growing conditions.
Bahama Apricot
Bahama Apricot is a large decorative dahlia in rich, warm apricot-orange tones, producing blooms up to 8 to 10 inches across on plants growing 4 to 5 feet tall. Its fully double, broadly reflexed petals create a classic, lush decorative form that is as at home in a formal cutting garden as it is in a relaxed cottage border. The warm apricot color is among the most flattering in the dahlia palette, complementing a wide range of companion plants and flowers.
Karma Sangria
Karma Sangria is a decorative dahlia from the Karma cut flower series, producing medium to large blooms in deep, rich wine-red tones with excellent stem length and vase life. Like all members of the Karma series, it was bred specifically to meet the demanding requirements of professional cut flower production, including disease resistance, consistent stem quality, and long-lasting blooms. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is widely grown in dahlia greenhouses across the Netherlands and other major cut flower producing regions.
Penhill Dark Monarch
Penhill Dark Monarch is a giant decorative dahlia in very deep, velvety wine-red to near-black tones, capable of producing blooms 10 to 12 inches across on tall plants growing 4 to 5 feet in height. It is one of the most sought-after dark-colored giant dahlias for exhibition use and is a regular prizewinner at national and international dahlia shows. The combination of enormous scale and near-black coloring makes it one of the most dramatic dahlias in existence.
Hy Clown
Hy Clown is a large decorative dahlia in a striking bicolor of white and rich purple-lavender, with the purple coloring concentrated toward the petal tips and edges while the bases remain white. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong stems and produces large, well-formed blooms reliably throughout the season. The bicolor pattern varies subtly from bloom to bloom, giving it a natural, organic quality that distinguishes it from more uniformly colored cultivars.
Also Read: Types of Purple Dahlias
Pinelands Princess
Pinelands Princess is a medium-sized anemone dahlia with open, single-row outer petals surrounding a dramatically enlarged, cushion-like central disc of tubular florets. The anemone form is one of the most distinctive in the dahlia classification system, and Pinelands Princess exemplifies the type with its well-proportioned, clearly defined flower structure. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and attracts pollinators throughout its long blooming season.
Totally Tangerine
Totally Tangerine is an anemone-form dahlia producing single to semi-double blooms in vivid orange-tangerine tones with a golden central cushion, creating a bright, cheerful flower that is enormously attractive to bees and other pollinators. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a well-branched, prolific habit and blooms continuously from midsummer through frost. Its vibrant color and pollinator-friendliness have made it one of the most popular anemone dahlias in recent years.
Sisa
Sisa is a small ball dahlia in soft, warm salmon-orange tones, valued for its perfectly formed, tightly spiraled blooms and its exceptional productivity over a long season. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces an abundance of uniform, well-colored blooms on long stems, making it highly suitable for both garden display and cut flower use. Its warm, flattering color tone places it among the most commercially successful small ball dahlias currently in production.
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean is a large decorative dahlia in soft, cool lavender-purple tones, producing blooms up to 8 to 10 inches across with a refined, elegant form that suits both garden and exhibition use. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong, upright stems and holds its color well in both hot and cool weather conditions. The soft, cool lavender tone is relatively rare in large decorative dahlias and makes Pacific Ocean a sought-after cultivar for gardeners working with blue and purple color palettes.
Hollyhill Lemon Ice
Hollyhill Lemon Ice is a large decorative dahlia in soft, pale lemon-yellow tones, producing blooms up to 8 to 10 inches across with a clean, luminous quality that stands out in the garden even at a distance. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong stems and is valued for its ability to hold its delicate pale color without fading or bleaching in summer heat. Its soft yellow tone pairs beautifully with white, peach, lavender, and deep purple dahlias in mixed cutting garden plantings.
Tahoma Hope
Tahoma Hope is a medium decorative dahlia in warm, peachy-pink tones, notable for its excellent garden performance, strong stem quality, and consistent bloom production across a wide range of growing conditions. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is widely praised by home gardeners and cut flower growers alike for its reliability and the flattering, versatile color of its blooms. The Tahoma series from which it comes has established a reputation for producing well-adapted, garden-worthy dahlias.
Fascination Lilac Time
Fascination Lilac Time is a compact dahlia in soft lilac-mauve tones, growing 18 to 24 inches tall with a naturally bushy, self-branching habit that makes it suitable for container growing and front-of-border planting. Its semi-double blooms have an informal, relaxed quality and are produced in great abundance from midsummer through frost. The soft lilac coloring is particularly effective in combination with silver-foliaged plants and white or pale pink companions.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood is a small ball dahlia in rich, deep red tones, valued for its precisely formed, tightly spiraled blooms and its reliable, prolific performance throughout the season. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is a longstanding favorite among dahlia growers who prize the small ball class for its neat, geometric perfection. The deep red color is classic and versatile, pairing well with virtually any companion color in mixed floral arrangements.
Peaches and Cream
Peaches and Cream is a large decorative dahlia in a soft, romantic blend of peach and cream tones, with the peachy color concentrated toward the center of each bloom and fading to creamy white at the petal tips. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong stems and produces large, beautifully formed blooms that are among the most sought-after in the warm, soft color palette that dominates contemporary cutting garden and floral design trends. Its color combination is inherently versatile and complements virtually any other flower in a mixed arrangement.
Zorro
Zorro is a giant decorative dahlia producing enormous blooms in deep, velvety red tones, capable of reaching 10 to 12 inches across on well-grown plants reaching 4 to 5 feet in height. It is one of the most exhibited dahlias in the giant decorative class at dahlia society shows across the United States and United Kingdom, consistently winning awards for its exceptional size, form, and color depth. The name suits the bold, dramatic character of the blooms, which command attention in any garden or exhibition setting.
Gitts Crazy
Gitts Crazy is one of the most unusually colored dahlias in existence, producing large decorative blooms in a wildly variable blend of purple, pink, white, and yellow that changes unpredictably from bloom to bloom and even across different parts of the same flower. No two blooms are exactly alike, making it a conversation piece and a favorite of dahlia collectors who appreciate novelty and unpredictability. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and produces reliably vigorous growth despite the genetic complexity behind its variable coloring.
Also Read: Types of Yellow Dahlias
Honka Fragile
Honka Fragile is a single-flowered orchid dahlia with narrow, widely spaced petals in soft, pale yellow tones that give it an airy, delicate appearance quite unlike the lush fullness of most dahlia cultivars. Part of the Honka series of star-like, open-centered dahlias, it grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is highly attractive to pollinators due to its accessible, open flower form. Its fragile, ethereal appearance makes it a popular choice for naturalistic and cottage-style garden plantings.
Ludwig Helfert
Ludwig Helfert is a large semi-cactus dahlia in warm, glowing orange tones, considered by many growers to be among the finest orange semi-cactus dahlias ever produced. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong, upright stems and produces large, well-formed blooms with the characteristic slightly incurved, quilled petals of the semi-cactus type. Its rich, pure orange color and excellent performance both in the garden and as a cut flower have kept it in continuous cultivation for decades.
Murdoch
Murdoch is a medium ball dahlia in warm, deep terracotta-orange tones, valued for its rich, earthy color and the precise, perfectly spherical form that defines the best ball dahlias. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces well-colored, consistently formed blooms throughout the season. The terracotta tones of Murdoch are particularly fashionable in contemporary floristry, pairing beautifully with dusty rose, chocolate, and burgundy companions.
Linda’s Baby
Linda’s Baby is a miniature decorative dahlia producing small but perfectly formed blooms in soft pink tones, valued for its prolific bloom production and its suitability for small floral arrangements, posies, and mixed bouquets. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a well-branched, productive habit and performs reliably across a wide range of growing conditions. The small, dainty scale of its blooms fills a niche in the dahlia palette not met by the more dramatic large and giant decorative cultivars.
Inland Dynasty
Inland Dynasty is a large decorative dahlia in rich, warm pink tones with occasional lavender overtones, producing blooms up to 8 to 10 inches across on plants growing 4 to 5 feet tall. It is a popular exhibition dahlia in the large decorative class and is also widely grown for cutting due to its strong stem quality and the classic elegance of its blooms. The warm pink coloring is among the most universally appealing in the dahlia spectrum and suits a wide range of garden and floral design applications.
Mystery Day
Mystery Day is a large decorative dahlia producing blooms in a striking bicolor of deep purple and white, with the white concentrated at the petal bases and the purple intensifying toward the tips. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong, upright stems and produces large, well-formed blooms with a bold, graphic quality that stands out in both garden borders and floral arrangements. The purple and white combination is among the most classic and versatile in the bicolor dahlia category.
Also Read: Plants That Grow From Tubers
Twyning’s Revel
Twyning’s Revel is a collarette dahlia producing open, single flowers with a ring of shorter inner petals (the collar) in a vivid combination of scarlet-red outer petals and yellow collar petals. Collarette dahlias are classified separately from single and decorative types for their distinctive double-ring petal structure, and Twyning’s Revel is one of the finest examples of the form. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is highly attractive to pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Gallery Art Deco
Gallery Art Deco is part of the Gallery series of compact, container-friendly dahlias, producing semi-double to double blooms in warm, peachy-orange tones on plants that stay under 16 to 20 inches in height. The Gallery series was specifically developed for patio and container use, producing sturdy, well-branched plants that do not require staking and bloom prolifically from midsummer through frost. It is hardy as a perennial in USDA zones 8 to 11 and performs reliably as an annual in cooler zones.
Bishop of Oxford
Bishop of Oxford is a standout member of the Bishop series, producing single flowers in vivid orange-gold above the characteristic dark, bronze-purple foliage that defines the Bishop cultivars. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a well-branched, bushy habit and blooms continuously from midsummer through frost, attracting pollinators throughout its long season. The combination of warm orange flowers against near-black foliage is among the most dramatic color contrasts available in any garden shrub or perennial.
Snowflake
Snowflake is a classic white pompon dahlia producing perfectly spherical, pure white blooms in the miniature scale that defines the pompon class. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces an abundance of immaculate white blooms on long, wiry stems throughout the season, making it one of the most useful white dahlias for cutting and floral arrangement use. Its clean, pure white color and perfect geometric form make it a versatile companion for virtually any other color in mixed bouquets.
Also Read: Plants That Grow From Rhizomes
Verrone’s Obsidia
Verrone’s Obsidian is a small waterlily or informal decorative dahlia producing single to semi-double blooms in extraordinarily deep, near-black maroon tones that represent the darkest end of the dahlia color spectrum. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a prolific, well-branched habit and provides an almost bottomless depth of dark color in the garden that few other plants can match. It is a favorite of dark garden designers and florists working with dramatically moody, jewel-toned palettes.
Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz is a large decorative dahlia producing blooms in a soft, multi-toned blend of pink and cream with subtle yellow undertones, giving each flower a gentle, glowing warmth. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with strong stems and is valued for its classic decorative form and its versatile, flattering color that suits a wide range of garden styles and floral design applications. The softly complex coloring means no two blooms look exactly alike, adding to its natural appeal.
Breakout
Breakout is a medium to large decorative dahlia in soft lavender-pink tones with a clean, refined form and excellent stem quality that makes it well suited to both garden display and cut flower use. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces consistently well-formed blooms throughout the season with good disease resistance and weather tolerance. The soft lavender-pink color is particularly popular in contemporary wedding floristry and romantic garden design.
Brian’s Dream
Brian’s Dream is a giant decorative dahlia in soft, warm pink tones, capable of producing blooms 10 to 12 inches across on well-grown plants reaching 4 to 5 feet tall. It is a regular prizewinner in the giant decorative class at dahlia society exhibitions and is equally valued by home gardeners who want the spectacle of dinner plate-scale blooms in their summer garden. The warm, flattering pink color makes it one of the most broadly appealing of the giant decorative cultivars.
Eveline
Eveline is a classic pompon dahlia producing perfectly spherical blooms in soft lavender-purple with white petal tips, creating a delicate, two-toned effect within the precise geometric form of the pompon class. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is one of the most popular pompon dahlias for cut flower use, valued for its long stems, consistent bloom quality, and the unusual soft coloring. Eveline has been in cultivation for many decades and remains a benchmark cultivar in the pompon class.
Rip City
Rip City is a large decorative dahlia in deep, velvety red-purple tones, producing large, well-formed blooms on tall plants growing 4 to 5 feet in height. It is a reliable garden performer and a popular cultivar in dahlia societies, where its rich, saturated color and classic decorative form earn consistent admiration. The deep red-purple coloring pairs naturally with lavender, white, and peach companions for romantic late-summer border combinations.
Spartacus
Spartacus is a giant decorative dahlia in deep, burning red tones, capable of producing blooms 10 to 12 inches across on robust plants reaching 5 to 6 feet in height. It is one of the most vigorous and productive of the giant red dahlias and a perennial favorite on the dahlia show circuit for its exceptional size and intense color. The name suits the bold, powerful character of the blooms, which dominate any garden setting in which they appear.
Also Read: How to Grow Chrysanthemum from Seed
Ice Queen
Ice Queen is a large, white decorative dahlia producing perfectly formed, pure white blooms up to 8 to 10 inches across on plants growing 4 to 5 feet tall. It is one of the finest white large decorative dahlias available, valued for its immaculate color, excellent stem quality, and reliable performance across a wide range of growing conditions. Pure white dahlias of this scale are invaluable in cutting gardens, where they serve as elegant anchors for mixed bouquets and floral arrangements.
Tartan
Tartan is a medium decorative dahlia in a striking bicolor of deep purple-red and white, with the coloring distributed in an irregular, almost unpredictable pattern that gives each bloom a spontaneous, hand-painted quality. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces blooms reliably throughout the season, with no two flowers looking exactly the same due to the variable nature of the bicolor patterning. The bold graphic contrast of the coloring makes it a favorite among dahlia collectors and florists seeking unusual cultivars.
Apricot Desire
Apricot Desire is a medium decorative dahlia in warm, rich apricot-orange tones, grown primarily for the cut flower industry and valued for its excellent stem length, long vase life, and consistently well-formed blooms. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces reliably throughout the season with good resistance to disease and adverse weather conditions. The warm apricot color is one of the most versatile and commercially popular in the dahlia cut flower market.
Ivanetti
Ivanetti is a small ball dahlia in rich, deep burgundy-wine tones, producing perfectly spherical blooms with tightly spiraled petals in the classic ball dahlia form. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is widely grown for cut flower production as well as garden display, valued for its deep, jewel-like color and the precision of its globular blooms. The dark wine color pairs beautifully with soft pink, peach, and cream companions in romantic floral designs.
Josie
Josie is a miniature ball dahlia in warm, rich pink tones with a slightly darker center that gives depth and dimensionality to the tightly spiraled blooms. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces an abundance of small, uniform blooms on long stems throughout the season, making it highly productive for cutting garden use. The warm pink color and small, perfectly formed balls make Josie one of the most charming and useful small dahlia cultivars available.
Yelno Enchantment
Yelno Enchantment is a medium waterlily dahlia in soft, warm peach-apricot tones, exemplifying the relaxed, gently layered petal arrangement that defines the waterlily form at its most elegant. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with strong stems and produces blooms with a floating, effortless quality that is quite distinct from the more structured decorative and ball types. The soft peach coloring makes it a natural companion for the warm, romantic palettes that dominate contemporary cutting garden design.
Giraffe
Giraffe is an unusual orchid or novelty dahlia with narrow, tubular, twisted petals in warm yellow-orange tones tipped with a contrasting darker orange, creating a flower that looks remarkably different from conventional dahlia forms. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is grown primarily as a collector’s plant and for use in unusual or avant-garde floral arrangements where its eccentric petal structure provides maximum visual interest. Giraffe exemplifies the remarkable range of flower forms achievable within the dahlia genus.
Barbarossa
Barbarossa is a large decorative dahlia in vivid, saturated orange-red tones, producing blooms up to 8 to 10 inches across on robust plants growing 4 to 5 feet tall. It is valued for its vigorous growth, reliable blooming, and the intense, burning quality of its color, which makes it one of the most visually commanding orange-red dahlias available. The name, evoking the famous red-bearded Holy Roman Emperor, suits the bold and assertive character of the blooms.
Bracken Ballerina
Bracken Ballerina is a single-flowered dahlia producing delicate, open blooms in soft pink tones with a contrasting yellow central disc, creating a simple, wildflower-like appearance that is distinct from the elaborate cultivated forms that dominate the dahlia world. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is particularly attractive to pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens alongside more ornamental dahlia selections. Its quiet charm suits naturalistic planting designs where simpler flower forms are preferred.
Kenora Sunset
Kenora Sunset is a large semi-cactus dahlia in a warm, multi-toned blend of orange, gold, and pink, with the colors blending and shifting across the long, slightly incurved petals to create a flower with a genuinely sunset-like warmth and complexity. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and produces large, well-formed blooms with the strong stems characteristic of good semi-cactus cultivars. Its multi-toned, warm palette makes it one of the most naturally beautiful dahlias for late summer and early autumn garden compositions.
Mystic Spirit
Mystic Spirit is a compact, dark-foliaged dahlia in the Mystic series, producing single flowers in soft lavender-pink tones above nearly black foliage, creating one of the most elegant color combinations in the entire series. It grows 18 to 24 inches tall with a bushy, self-branching habit suitable for containers and front-of-border use. The Mystic series as a whole has proven highly popular for its combination of dark foliage ornamental value and continuous, pollinator-friendly blooming.
Kaiser Wilhelm
Kaiser Wilhelm is a classic exhibition dahlia in the formal decorative category, producing large, precisely formed blooms in warm yellow with a distinctive pink blush or flush toward the petal edges and tips. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and has been in cultivation for many decades, maintaining its popularity in dahlia societies through the consistency of its bloom quality and the classic elegance of its coloring. The yellow and pink combination is timeless and pairs naturally with a wide range of companion flowers.
Moonfire
Moonfire is a compact single dahlia with warm, golden-yellow blooms accented by a contrasting dark central disc, displayed against deeply pigmented bronze-purple foliage that is nearly as ornamental as the flowers themselves. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall with a naturally bushy, well-branched habit and blooms prolifically from midsummer through frost, attracting bees and butterflies consistently throughout the season. Hardy as a perennial in USDA zones 8 to 11, it is equally effective as an annual in colder zones and one of the best small, dark-foliaged dahlias for wildlife gardens.
HS Date
HS Date is a compact, semi-double dahlia in deep, rich red tones, part of the Happy Single series developed specifically for small-space gardening, containers, and low-maintenance landscape use. It stays under 18 inches in height with a self-branching, vigorous habit that requires no staking or deadheading to perform well. The Happy Single series has become one of the most widely grown groups of compact dahlias for patio and balcony gardening across Europe and North America.
Almand’s Joy
Almand’s Joy is a giant decorative dahlia in soft, warm pink tones, capable of producing blooms 10 to 12 inches across on plants growing 4 to 5 feet tall. It is a perennial prizewinner in the giant decorative class at dahlia exhibitions and is equally spectacular as a garden specimen where its massive, perfectly formed blooms create an unmistakable focal point. The warm, flattering pink color and enormous scale make it one of the most crowd-pleasing giant dahlias available to home growers and exhibitors alike.