Dahlia Varieties: 64 Types of Dazzling Dahlias for Every Garden
Discover diverse blooms by form and hue to inspire eye-catching seasonal displays.
Dahlias are celebrated for their extraordinary beauty, colors, and forms that can elevate any garden or floral arrangement. With tens of thousands of registered cultivars and a wide array of flower shapes and sizes, choosing the right dahlia varieties for your space can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide breaks down 64 unique and garden-worthy dahlia types by form and color, exploring what makes each variety exceptionalâand how to find the best fit for your garden dreams.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Dahlia Varieties
- Dahlia Flower Forms & Classes
- Notable Dahlia Varieties and Highlights
- Dahlias by Color Spectrum
- Tips for Growing Dahlias
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction to Dahlia Varieties
Dahlias (Dahlia spp.) are native to Mexico and Central America. They are renowned for their tuberous roots and range from compact bedding dahlias to towering giants with dinnerplate-sized blooms. With over 57,000 registered cultivars and continued hybridization, there is a dahlia for every tasteâfrom elegant and classic to wild and whimsical.
What makes dahlias particularly special is:
- Vast spectrum of colors: Almost every hue except true blue and black.
- Differing forms: Cactus, decorative, ball, anemone, orchid, and more.
- Bloom longevity: Flowering throughout late summer into fall.
- Cut flower performance: Many varieties are prized for floral arrangements.
Dahlia Flower Forms & Classes
The American Dahlia Society and other horticultural groups classify dahlias by flower form. Understanding these classes helps you select the right type for your garden style and floral needs.
| Form/Class | Description | Popular for |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative | Broad, flat petals arranged in multiple rows. May be formal (symmetrical) or informal (irregular). | Showy landscaping and arrangements |
| Cactus & Semi-cactus | Narrow, pointed petals rolled backward, creating a spiky effect (semi-cactus partially rolled). | High-impact garden displays |
| Ball & Pompon | Small, globe-shaped blooms with tightly rolled petals. Pompons are under 2 inches. | Bouquets, compact plantings |
| Anemone & Collarette | Single row of petals with a frilled or tufted center (anemone); collarette sports a single petal row plus a collar of smaller petals. | Unique texture and pollinator appeal |
| Single & Orchid | Single row (single); one or two rows of partially rolled petals (orchid, star-like appearance). | Wildflower borders, pollinator gardens |
| Peony & Waterlily | Peony: 2â5 rows of petal, loose form. Waterlily: double blooms, broad, flat form. | Soft, classic floral displays |
| Stellar, Laciniated | Stellar: pointed, ray-like petals. Laciniated: petals split at the tips, fringe-like. | Modern and dramatic gardens |
Notable Dahlia Varieties and Highlights
Letâs explore some of the most beloved and remarkable dahlia varieties in cultivation today. The following list introduces unique forms, colors, and growing characteristicsâas featured favorites among garden experts and enthusiasts.
Lilac Time
Lilac Time features lush, double-layered petals in deep purpleâevoking the classic shades of lilacs. While it lacks significant fragrance, the bold tones and large flowers make it a standout in the back of borders and as a cut flower.
Magenta Star
The Magenta Star dazzles with eight overlapping magenta petals streaked with white, surrounding a golden pollen ring and dark center. Its star-shaped form shines in garden beds and arrangements alike.
Melody Dora
Melody Dora offers soft, peachy-pink blooms with delicate purple veining, appearing especially vivid in bud form. Compact in stature, this variety is ideal for containers and small garden spaces.
Taratahi Ruby
The Taratahi Ruby provides striking ruby-red petals atop tall, robust stems. Its moderately sized, 5-inch blooms quickly rise above deep green foliage, adding height and drama to mixed plantings.
Café au Lait
This world-famous dahlia is a must for wedding designers. Café au Lait displays enormous, creamy blush-pink bloomsâsometimes with soft swirls of mocha or pale yellow. Their romantic, pastel appearance complements soft-color palettes and bouquets.
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Myrtleâs Folly
Myrtleâs Folly captivates with a wild, curly, and deeply fringed form in vibrant pink and yellow. This laciniated dahlia is a showstopper, equally at home on exhibition tables and in adventurous garden beds.
Red Labyrinth
The striking Red Labyrinth boasts intricate, deeply cut petals in a vivid red. With its dramatic, layered appearance, it brings intense visual impact to large-scale plantings or as a centerpiece in bouquets.
Other Noteworthy Varieties
- Cantarino: Large, ruffled orange blooms.
- Joey Hubert: Red and yellow bicolor evoking a zinnia’s vibrancy.
- Nightingale: Petite, dark-centered single blooms that charm pollinators.
- Kasagi: Intense, classic decorative dahlia, often in deep tones.
- Temple of Beauty: Renowned for its tall habit and salmon-hued giant flowers.
- Georgia Bloomquist: Light pink petals with frilly yellow edges.
- Night Butterfly: Unique collarette form with dark magenta petals and white collars.
- Lindsay Michelle: Sunlit orange and yellow varieties ideal for uplifting displays.
Dahlias by Color Spectrum
With their wide color palette, dahlias can fit virtually any garden theme. Below are stand-out varieties categorized for color inspiration.
Pinks & Lavenders
- Café au Lait
- Georgia Bloomquist
- Lilac Time
Reds & Oranges
- Taratahi Ruby
- Red Labyrinth
- Cantarino
- Lindsay Michelle
Yellows & Golds
- Joey Hubert
- Orange Turmoil
- Liquid Desire
Whites & Creams
- Café au Lait (also a pink-tone favorite)
- My Love
Bicolors & Unique Hues
- Magenta Star: Magenta and white
- Joey Hubert: Red and yellow blend
Tips for Growing Dahlias
Dahlias are relatively easy to grow but deserve a few key considerations for healthy plants and optimal blooms.
- Plant after frost: Wait until soil is consistently 60°F (16°C) or above before planting tubers.
- Choose full sun: Dahlias need 6â8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Amend soil: Provide well-draining, rich soil. Amend with compost and avoid waterlogging to prevent rot.
- Stake taller types: Use supports for varieties exceeding 3 feet to avoid wind damage.
- Water deeply: Allow topsoil to dry between waterings. Soak the base rather than overhead to reduce fungal disease risk.
- Deadhead spent blooms: Regularly remove old flowers to encourage reblooming.
- Fertilize lightly: Use low-nitrogen fertilizer to promote blooms over foliage.
For overwintering:
- In cold climates: Dig and store tubers after foliage dies back. Layer them in wood shavings or vermiculite in a cool, dry location.
- In mild climates: Leave tubers in the ground, heavily mulched to prevent freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which dahlia varieties are best for cut flowers?
A: Café au Lait, Taratahi Ruby, Georgia Bloomquist, and Lilac Time are popular with florists for their strong stems and striking blooms. Ball and decorative forms hold up especially well in vases.
Q: I have a small gardenâwhat dahlia varieties should I choose?
A: Dwarf and compact types such as Melody Dora, My Love, and most pompon dahlias thrive in containers and smaller spaces.
Q: Do dahlias have any scent?
A: While admired for their spectacular appearance, most dahliasâincluding favorites like Lilac Timeâlack significant fragrance. They are grown primarily for color and form.
Q: Are dahlias attractive to pollinators?
A: Yes, open-center and single-flowered types like Magenta Star and Nightingale are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Q: Is it easy to breed new dahlia varieties?
A: Dahlias are commonly hybridized at home. By saving seed from open-pollinated flowers, growers can create unique new forms and colorsâthough offspring may not exactly match the parent plant.
Conclusion
With so many breathtaking varieties, dahlias invite creativity in the garden. Whether youâre seeking bold showstoppers, gentle pastels, classic forms, or wild fringed beauties, thereâs a dahlia to fit every style. Use this guide to select your favorites, and enjoy months of vibrant, unique color through summer and fall.
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