Dahlias are famous for their large and colorful blooms, which come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. But with all that variety, how are gardeners supposed to choose which dahlias to grow?
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the most popular types of dahlias today and what makes each so special. We know you’ll find the right dahlia variety for your garden in the list below!
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Why are there so many different types of dahlias?
Dahlias have a long and interesting history, and they have been cultivated for centuries. Ancient Aztecs kept dahlias as an important food source and used them in ceremonies to symbolize the sun. When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, they also took an interest in the bright colors of dahlia flowers.
After bringing dahlia seeds back to the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, the famous Spanish botanist Antonio Jose Cavinilles began to experiment with dahlias. Cavinilles developed several new dahlia varieties, and the dahlia craze began to spread in Europe. Soon, botanists throughout the continent had created new dahlia cultivars to share.
Today, there are 42 recognized species of dahlias, as well as many different dahlia hybrids. Some dahlias were specifically bred for oversized blooms, while others have uniquely shaped petals. Despite their nuances, all dahlias have one thing in common: they are sure to be the stars of any garden design!
15 dahlias to grow for bold garden color
Different dahlia varieties have different key features. Some have wide-open blooms that are perfect for pollinators, while others feature stunning, tropical-looking flowers that are just right for cut flower arrangements. Here are some of our favorite dahlias types, as well as suggested dahlias to look for the next time you want to order dahlia tubers.
1. Single
Single dahlias are the best dahlia variety to grow if you want to attract pollinators. These plants have single flowers with open faces that are very easy for bees and other insects to land on. Overlapping petals are arranged around the center of the bloom in a neat row, and petals can be slightly cupped or straight with rounded or pointed tips.
For more single dahlias, check out popular picks like:
- ‘Magenta Star’
- ‘Topmix Pink’
- ‘Bishop of York’
- ‘Ian Hislop’
- ‘Joe Swift’
2. Ball
Ball dahlias closely resemble pompom dahlias, but these dahlias have larger flowers that measure over 2” wide. Ball dahlias have double blooms that feature a tight circle of rolled petals, and the flower itself can be perfectly round or slightly flat in appearance. Petal tips can be flat, rounded, or indented, depending on the variety you choose.
For more ball dahlias, explore cultivars like:
- ‘Jomanda’
- ‘Babette’
- ‘Cornell’
- ‘Blyton Softer Gleam’
- ‘Chimacum Night’
3. Decorative
There are more varieties of decorative dahlias than any other dahlia type. Decorative dahlias have broad, flat petals and double blooms, and flowers come in many different colors and sizes. Decorative dahlias can either be “formal” or “informal” depending on the shape of their petals and if the petals are spaced regularly around the center of the bloom.
Some popular choices of decorative dahlias include:
- ‘Arabian Night’
- ‘Kevin Floodlight’
- ‘Duet’
- ‘Eveline’
4. Peony
Great for pollinators and cut flower gardens, peony dahlias have single blooms with irregularly shaped petals. The unique shape of the petals gives these flowers a slightly fluffy appearance that looks particularly pretty in bouquets, while bees can easily access the pollen in the flower’s open center. Petals are arranged in single or double rows and come in lots of delightful colors.
Some examples of peony dahlias are:
- ‘Bishop of Oxford’
- ‘Fascination’
- ‘Bishop of Llandaff’
5. Mignon
Mignon dahlias are very similar to single dahlias, and these two dahlia types are sometimes combined together into a single category; however, there are a few differences. Most notably, mignon dahlia flowers are usually smaller and measure less than 2” wide, while single dahlias can be bigger. Mignon dahlias also have rounded petals, and they come in many different colors.
For the best mignon dahlia blooms, try these plants in your garden:
- ‘Sunshine’
- ‘Scura’
6. Anemone
One of the best dahlia varieties for cut flowers and bouquet making, anemone dahlias have two types of petals. Broad, flat petals encircle the outside of the flower, while the interior of the bloom is packed with smaller, tubular petals that create a playful contrast of textures. Anemone dahlias can grow between 2 and 4’ tall and come in lots of different colors.
There are many types of anemone dahlias to choose from, including:
- ‘Boogie Woogie’
- ‘Platinum Blonde’
- ‘Polka’
- ‘Totally Tangerine’
- ‘Lifestyle’
7. Stellar
Stellar dahlias are similar in form to ball dahlias as they don’t have an obvious center disk. But these double flowers have pointed petals that are curved, bending backward dramatically towards the plant’s stem. The unique shape of the stellar’s petals somewhat resembles a shooting star, which is how this dahlia variety got its name!
‘Irish Blackhart’ is a classic example of a stellar-type dahlia.
8. Waterlily
One of the most bewitching varieties of dahlias, waterlily dahlias are aptly named since they closely resemble the blooms of waterlilies. These double-bloom flowers often have vivid colors and two-toned petals. You can recognize waterlily dahlias by their broad petals that are sparsely arranged to form a simple, yet elegant flower form.
Look for these top waterlily dahlias to add to your garden beds:
- ‘Caballero’
- ‘Karma Irene’
- ‘Pearl of Heemstede’
- ‘Karma Prospero’
- ‘Lauren Michele’
9. Cactus
Cactus dahlias are a dramatic-looking cultivar with rolled petals that give the double flower a spiky appearance. These dahlias can be divided into semi-cactus, straight cactus, or incurved cactus varieties, depending on how much their petals curve. You can also find cactus dahlias in a wide range of sizes and colors, from mini blooms to dinnerplate dahlias.
If you love the look of these plants, try out varieties like:
- ‘Nuit d’Ete’
- ‘Hollyhill Spider Woman’
- ‘Pianella’
- ‘Black Narcissus’
- ‘Doris Day’
10. Laciniated
Sometimes referred to as “lacy” dahlias, laciniated dahlias have a spiky look that closely resembles cactus dahlias. That’s why these two dahlia varieties are sometimes lumped together into a single type; however, laciniated dahlias have a split at the petal ends, which makes them look even more frilly than cactus dahlias. Petals are slender and twisted and are certain to catch the eye in any garden design.
Some good examples of laciniated dahlias are:
- ‘Bloomquist Joel’
- ‘Jenny’
- ‘Northlake Heritage’
11. Collarette
Collarette dahlias have a similar form to anemone dahlias with two types of petals. Around the exterior of the plant are flat petals that give the flower most of its color, and these big petals frame shorter petals around the center of the bloom. Collarette flowers, however, often have a more open center than anemones, which makes them very accessible to pollinators.
If you’d like to try out collarette dahlias in your garden, look for:
- ‘Teesbrooke Audrey’
- ‘Impression Fantastico’
- ‘Kelsey Sunshine’
- ‘Kelsey Annie Joy’
- ‘Pooh’
12. Orchid
Despite their name, orchid dahlias don’t really resemble orchids, but that doesn’t make them any less appealing. Orchid dahlias are single-flowering types with either one or two rows of petals around an open flower center. These plants have more slender, delicate blooms that look very unique when interplanted with other dahlia varieties.
Good examples of orchid dahlias are:
- ‘Honka Fragile’
- ‘Honka Red’
- ‘Starbrite’
- ‘Verrone’s Obsidian’
- ‘Tahoma Hope’
13. Pompom
Pompom dahlias have a whimsical look with perfectly round flowers formed from a spiral of petals. The petals of pompom dahlias are tightly rolled so that they form little circles around the center of the flower. Flowers have double blooms and are small in size, and rarely grow over 2” in diameter.
Top picks for pompom dahlias include:
- ‘Franz Kafka’
- ‘Little William’
- ‘Plum Surprise’
- ‘Natal’
- ‘Double Jill’
14. Novelty or Fun
Novelty and fun dahlias are hard to classify. They have some of the features of other dahlia types, but they don’t meet all of the criteria required to fit into specific dahlia categories. Novelty dahlias can either be “open” with a clear flower center, or “fully double” with petals covering the center of the bloom.
Some colorful novelty dahlia varieties are:
- ‘All That Jazz’
- ‘Labyrinth Two-Tone’
- ‘Tartan’
- ‘Apricot Star’
- ‘Night Butterfly’
15. Dinnerplate
Dinnerplate dahlias aren’t a specific dahlia type; instead, the name refers to the size of the flower. Dinnerplate dahlias have the largest blooms, and flowers must measure at least 8” wide to be classified as a “dinnerplate.” Many different types of dahlias come in dinnerplates sizes, including cactus dahlias and decorative dahlias.
If you want to make a big impact in your dahlia bed, try out these dinnerplate dahlias:
- ‘Babylon Red’
- ‘Hapet Blue Eyes’
- ‘Lilac Time’
- ‘Lady Liberty’
- ‘Spoiled Rotten’
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t know what dahlia type you have, there are a few key things to look for to help you identify your plant. Dahlias varieties often have different flower sizes and petal shapes. Carefully measure your flowers and check out the petal shape and petal arrangement to decide which type of dahlia you’re growing.
Black is a hard-to-find color in most flowers, and dahlias are no exception. While there aren’t any truly black flowers, you can find a few very dark dahlia varieties that appear black in most lightning. ‘Black Satin,’ ‘Black Embers,’ and ‘Black Jack’ are three types of very dark dahlias that are sure to add drama to your flower beds.
In warm locations, dahlias are classified as perennial plants, and they will bloom year after year as long as they are properly maintained. That said, dahlias are not cold hardy plants, and they will only grow as annuals in cold locations unless the tubers are overwintered indoors.
Yes. Deadheading your dahlias will improve the look of your plants and encourage your dahlias to produce more flowers.
Yes. Dahlias are hardy from zones 8 to 10. In colder locations, dahlia tubers should be dug up and overwintered in a protected location before being planted outdoors again in spring.
Generally, yes. While some dahlias may not need staking, these plants have slender stems, and dahlia varieties with very large flowers often droop and fall over. To keep your plants looking their best and to prevent damaged flowers, try staking your dahlias with bamboo poles, trellising, or the Florida weave method.
Summary
Dahlias are some of the most popular flowers to grow for a good reason. These impressive plants produce jaw-dropping, oversized blooms that really pack a punch in garden beds.
Blooming from mid-summer to the frosts of fall, you can enjoy dahlia blooms in your garden or in cut flower displays. Gardeners in warm climates can have dahlias come back year after year, while growers in cold regions may need to dig up and overwinter their dahlia blooms indoors. Just be sure to add some bulb cages to your dahlia tubers if you have rodents in your yard, because dahlias are some of the favorite snacking foods for voles and other critters!
If you’d like to learn more about how to grow the best dahlias around, check out our full dahlia grow guide here.
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