Images of the Different Dahlia Varieties
If you are concerned in growing dahlia , for your garden or for cut flowers , it is not always easy to empathize all the unlike Dahlia pinnata form that are available . This is not surprising since there are about 30 dahlias species and 20,000 unlike dahlia cultivar .
This amount of variety withinthe dahlia genusmeans there is a immense cooking stove of colours and shapes of Dahlia pinnata flowers : there are single dahlias – those with a simple raiment of petal around a central platter , pompon and testicle dahlia with their complex geometric shapes , cactus Dahlia pinnata , and many more dahlia types .
How to identify dahlias: types of dahlia flowers
Here you may visually identify the 15 primary groups of dahlias from this Dahlia pinnata diverseness name with picture . Further below , we look at each group in particular .
Dahlias Step by stride
A Dahlia raiser ’s blueprint : Transform your garden with prominent blooms that last until the first frosts
Left to Right: Single flowered, Anemone flowered and Collerette dahlias
Learn about all stages of dahlia get include propagation , planting , deadheading , feeding , watering , overwintering , pests and disease and a whole mickle besides .
Complexity of Dahlia varieties
The classification of types of Dahlia pinnata ( or varieties ) is a fluid subject . Botanists argue about thedivisionof species , and growers create increase numbers of cultivars and varieties .
Thus , thedahlialandscape is both complex and continually changing , so classification of the different salmagundi of Dahlia pinnata is not straightforward .
Dahlia varieties grouped by flower characteristics
order of magnitude is imposed on the complexity of dahlia variety show by the arrangement of different dahlia variety show into grouping . These group are classify harmonise to the characteristic of their flowers .
Even this group organization is not square , as there can be submarine - divisions within the groupings and International approaches can differ somewhat .
For these use , I ’ll focus on the approach of the UK ’s National Dahlia Society ( NDS ) . According to the NDS , the different types of Dahlia pinnata can currently be divided into 15 groups . The different groups are place out below , but so as to understand the difference of opinion between the various grouping , it is useful first to understand something about theparts of dahlia flowers , since it is the peak characteristics that determine the groupings .
Left to Right: Single flowered, Anemone flowered and Collerette dahlias
Dahliais a genus within theAsteraceaefamily , whose members also include daisies , sunflowers , rudbeckia and the corresponding . Asteraceaeplants typically have a flower head , or head , that is a composite plant of a number of minuscule individual flower . This explain why theAsteraceaefamily was formerly know asCompositaea .
The individualdahlia flowersare called ‘ florets ’ and there are two different kinds . At the centre of the flush are the ‘ record floweret ’ , which are typically yellow . The reproductive constituent of the disc floweret are usually readily accessible to pollinators , so this is where we see bee collect pollen from .
The other kind of floret is the ‘ re floret ’ . Ray floret are what we unremarkably think of as petals . These are the showy , coloured structures which surround the disc floweret on the out portion of the capitulum .
In dahlias , shaft florets are uninspired , so no reproductive part ( stamen or pistils ) are discernible . Ray florets will vary in their characteristics – they may be flat , fold up at the edge ( involute ) or folding down at the edges ( revolute).Dahlia pinnata , for good example , has a simple organization of flat ray florets .
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Smaller Dahlia varieties – size classifications
little Dahlia pinnata types are also often classified by size , normally for exposition design . The classifications are as fall out ( the abbreviations noted are used below in sexual congress to the cultivars listed ):
Dahlia Groupings
detail of all 15 Dahlia types by orchestrate by chemical group are below :
Group 1 – Single Flowered Dahlia
These dahlias have bloom with a single ring of flat shaft florets , which often overlap . Contrasting people of colour often appears towards the centre . The disc floret form a central disk .
suggest Single FloweredDahlia cultivars for gardenuse are : Chessy ( Lil ) ( Yellow)Magenta Star ( Lilac)Hadrian ’s Sunset ( Orange)HS Romeo ( Red)HS Princess ( White)Niki Preston ( Orange / Pink )
Group 2 – Anemone-flowered Dahlias
Anemone blossom dahlia have blooms with one or more tabu rings of flat ray florets , which are usually matte , with central showing of tubular florets . No disk is visible .
Suggested Anemone Flowered Dahlia cultivars for garden function are : Alpen Fury ( Red / Yellow)Bayou ( Lilac)Evita ( Purple / Yellow)Pasa Doble ( White / Yellow)Ryecroft Jim ( Pink / Yellow )
Image : Anemone flowered dahlia – Cillas Wikimedia Commons
Group 3 – Collerette Dahlias
Collerette dahlias have an out ring of 8 or more flat overlapping beam of light florets , with an inner ring of small , symmetrical beam floweret ( the Collar ) , which are often of a different colour . The centre forms a magnetic disc .
Suggested Collerette Dahlia cultivars for garden role are : Bride ’s Bouquet ( White)Christmas Carol ( Red / Yellow)Clair de Lune ( Yellow)Olivia ( Purple / White)Linda C ( Pink)Kirsty G ( Red )
Group 4 – Waterlily Dahlias
Waterlily dahlias have in full double blooms with broad , somewhat sparse re florets that can be straight or slightly involute along their duration . This gives the bloom a shallow appearance .
The essence of the flower should be firm and closed and the profundity of the flower overall should be around one third of the diameter of the bloom .
paint a picture Waterlily Dahlia cultivar for garden purpose are : Anna Lindh ( White)Sascha ( Yellow)Rancho ( Orange)Shep ’s Memory ( Bronze)Wildwood Marie ( Pink)Kate ’s Dream ( Red)Creme de Cassis ( Lilac / Purple )
Group 5 – Formal Decorative Dahlias
The essence of decorative dahlias is that they have fully double blooms , with no platter screening . The ray florets are in the main flat , liberal and are often involute for most of their length . The floweret may be slenderly twisted and usually brusquely pointed . Many modern variety have a high petal reckoning .
heyday sizes are : Giant flowered decoratives – over 25 cm ( 10 inches ) in diameterLarge bloom decoratives – 20 – 25 curium ( 8 - 10 inch ) in diameterMedium bloom decoratives – 15 – 20 cm ( 6 - 8 inch ) in diameterSmall blossom decoratives – 10 – 15 atomic number 96 ( 4 - 6 inch ) in diameterMiniature flowered decoratives – Up to 10 ( 4 inches ) in diam .
SuggestedFormal Decorative Dahliacultivars for garden use are : Hamari Gold ( Giant Flower ) ( Pink)White Perfection ( Giant Flower ) ( White)Lavender Perfection ( Giant Flower ) ( White)Cafe au Lait ( Large Flower ) ( White / Bronze)Ryecroft Rebel ( Large Flower ) ( White / Pink)Berwick Wood ( Medium Flower ) ( Purple)Mary Margaret Row ( Medium Flower ) ( Yellow)Oreti Classic ( Medium Flower ) ( Lilac)Barbarry Sultan ( Small Flower ) ( Red)Edinburgh ( Small Flower ) ( Purple / White)Hillcrest Firecrest ( Small Flower ) ( Yellow / Orange / Red)Requiem ( Small Flower ) ( Purple)Andrea Lawson ( Miniature Flower ) ( White / Lilac)Barbarry Respectable ( Miniature Flower ) ( Pink)Gallery Singer ( Gall ) ( Miniature Flower ) ( Red )
Group 6 – Ball Dahlias
testicle dahlias are similar to decorative dahlia in that they have fully double blooms , which are ball shaped ( obviously ) or slimly flatten .
The irradiation florets follow a spiral form and are cannular , rounded at the steer and involute for most of their length .
Suggested Ball Dahlia cultivars for garden use are : Amy Cave ( Small Ball ) ( White)Marble Ball ( Small Ball ) ( Purple / White)Regal Boy ( Small Ball ) ( Purple)Aurora ’s Kiss ( Miniature Ball ) ( Red)Downham Royal ( Miniature Ball ) ( Purple)Ruskin Tangerine ( Miniature Ball ) ( Orange )
Left to Right: Single flowered, Anemone flowered and Collerette dahlias
Wine Eyed Jill(Pink / Peach )
Ivanetti ( miniature Ball)(Magenta )
Group 7 – Pompon Dahlias
Pompon dahliasare globular double bloom with tube-shaped ray florets which are blunted at the tips . They are usually less that 5 cm ( 2 inches ) in diam and pop in garden or forcut bloom . bombastic Pompons have blooms between 5 and 7.5 cm ( 2 - 3 in ) .
Suggested Pompon Dahlia cultivars for garden habit are : Amgard Beacon ( Large Pompon ) ( Yellow)Franz Kafka ( Large Pompon ) ( Purple)Ms Kennedy ( Large Pompon ) ( Orange)Bowen ( Pompon ) ( White)Pensford Marion ( Pompon ) ( Pink)Martin ’s Yellow ( Pompon ) ( Yellow)Wizard of Oz(Pompon ) ( Pink )
Group 8 – Cactus Dahlias
Cactus dahlia have fully twofold efflorescence with pointed and narrow shaft floweret that are revolute for more than half of their length . Sometimes the florets curve inwards .
Blooms sizes are : Giant flowered cactus dahlia – over 25 cm ( 10 in ) in diameterLarge bloom cactus Dahlia pinnata – 20 – 25 cm ( 8 - 10 inches ) in diameterMedium flowered cactus dahlia – 15 – 20 cm ( 6 - 8 inches ) in diameterSmall blossom cactus dahlia – 10 – 15 curium ( 4 - 6 in ) in diameterMiniature flowered cactus dahlia – Up to 10 ( 4 inches ) in diameter .
Suggested Cactus Dahlia cultivars for garden use are : Good Earth ( Medium Cactus ) ( Pink / White)Sure Thing ( Medium Cactus ) ( Red)Clearview Sharron ( Medium Cactus ) ( Yellow)Deborah ’s Kiwi ( Small Cactus ) ( Pink / White)Karras 150 ( Small Cactus ) ( White)Embrace ( Small Cactus ) ( Orange)Gracie S ( Miniature Cactus ) ( Purple)Weston Pirate ( Miniature Cactus ) ( Red)Tui Avis ( Miniature Cactus ) ( Pink )
Left to Right: Waterlilly, Formal decorative and Ball dahlia types
( range of a function : CC BY - SA 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org / w / index.php?curid=46202 )
Group 9 – Semi-Cactus Dahlias
Semi - Cactus dahlias have to the full double blooms , but differ from genuine Cactus dahlia in that they have unspecific light beam florets that are only revolute for about half their distance . The floweret may be broad at the groundwork can be neat curvature upward . ( Image : By I , ritchie66.eu , CC BY - SA 3.0,Link )
Blooms sizing are : Giant flower semi - cactus dahlia – over 25 cm ( 10 inches ) in diameterLarge flowered semi - cactus Dahlia pinnata – 20 – 25 cm ( 8 - 10 inch ) in diameterMedium bloom semi - cactus dahlia – 15 – 20 centimeter ( 6 - 8 inch ) in diameterSmall bloom semi - cactus Dahlia pinnata – 10 – 15 cm ( 4 - 6 in ) in diameterMiniature flowered semi - cactus dahlia – Up to 10 ( 4 column inch ) in diameter .
Suggested Semi - Cactus Dahlia cultivar for garden usage are : Aitara Majesty ( Giant Semi - Cactus ) ( Yellow)Inca Dambuster ( Giant Semi - Cactus ) ( Yellow)Candy Keene ( Large Semi - Cactus ) ( Pink / White)Black Jack ( Large Semi - Cactus ) ( Red)Aloha ( Medium Semi - Cactus ) ( Yellow / Red)Cleo Laine ( Medium Semi - Cactus ) ( Orange / Pink)Nancy Margaret ( Medium Semi - Cactus ) ( White)Veritable ( Medium Semi - Cactus ) ( Lilac / White)Avoca Comanche ( Small Semi - Cactus ) ( Orange)Match ( Small Semi - Cactus ) ( Purple / White)Ruskin Andrea ( Small Semi - Cactus ) ( Pink)Shandy ( Small Semi - Cactus ) ( Orange / Pink)Badger Twinkle ( Miniature Semi - Cactus ) ( White / Purple)Weston Dusky ( Miniature Semi - Cactus ) ( Red)Weston Stardust ( Miniature Semi - Cactus ) ( Pink / Yellow )
Left to Right: Pompon, Cactus and Semi-Cactus dahliatypes
Group 10 – Miscellaneous Dahlias
This group include those that do not descend within Groups 1 – 9 inclusive and Groups 11 , 12,13 & 14 .
Species dahlias , such asDahlia pinnata , with its red dahlia efflorescence , also fall within this group .
Suggested Miscellaneous Group Dahlia cultivars for garden use are : Akita ( Red / Yellow)Dahlia coccinea ( Species ) ( Red)Dahlia pinnata(Species ) ( Red)Jewel Orange ( Dw . B ) ( Purple)Samantha ( Lil . ) ( Pink)Lorona Dawn ( Purple / White )
Left to Right: Miscellaneous, Fimbriated and Star dahliatypes
Group 11 – Fimbriated Dahlias
On Fimbriated Dahlia pinnata , the tips of the ray florets have two or three even split or mountain pass , creating a frilled or fringed effect .
The floweret themselves can change and may be flat , rolled , revolute , straight , incurving or twisted .
suggest Fimbriated Dahlia cultivar for garden use are : Apache ( Red)Jean Ellen ( Yellow)Kenora Frills ( Pink / White)Mel ’s Orange Marmalade ( Orange)Promise ( Yellow)Marlene Joy ( White / Pink )
Left to Right: Double Orchid, Paeony and Stellar dahlia types
Group 12 – Star Dahlias
Star Dahlia pinnata have a unmarried extinct ring of shaft of light floret around the primal record , which are either all involute or all revolute . Unsurprisingly , these are put like a sensation to give a very delicate appearance .
The ‘ Honka ’ cultivars are amongst the upright Star Dahlias .
Suggested Star Dahlia cultivars for garden use are : Hillcrest Cheryl ( White)Honka ( Yellow)Honka Surprise ( Pink)Midnight Star ( Dark Red)Sophie Taylor ( Orange / Yellow)Veronne ’s Obsidian ( Purple )
Group 13 – Double Orchid Dahlias
( Image byMarktee1aten.wikipedia , CC BY - SA 3.0,Link)Double Orchid dahlia have fully doubled blooms showing no disc and have triangular centres . Ray florets are narrowly spear form and either involute or revolute .
These are perhaps the most exotic and dahlias , that look really good in atropical style garden .
Suggested Double Orchid Dahlia cultivars for garden utilisation are : Gallery Art Deco ( Gall ) ( Orange)Gallery Art Nouveau ( Gall ) ( Pink / Purple)Giraffe ( Yellow / Bronze)Jescot Julie ( Orange / Purple)Tohsuikyoh ( Pink )
Group 14 – Paeony Dahlias
Paeony ( orpeony ) blossom dahlias have several rings of ray floweret encircling a central saucer . The ray of light floweret are often revolute along their length but slightly involute at the base .
Many of the paeony dahlias , especially the ‘ Bishop ’ cultivars have very attractive sinister foliage . This makes them especially garden worthy , since the foliage of some eccentric of Dahlia pinnata can be quite scruffy and unsatisfying .
Suggested Paeony Dahlia cultivars for garden use are : Bishop of Llandaf ( pictured)Bishop of Auckland ( Dark Red)Bishop of Canterbury ( Purple)Bishop of Leicester ( White / Pink)Bishop of York ( Yellow)Classic Rosamunde ( PinkD
Group 15 – Stellar Dahlias
Stellar dahlias have double flush with no platter and farsighted , narrow and pointy ray floret , that are partially rolled ( u - form ) and in multiple rowing .
There are spaces between the floret in each row and the florets recurve ( turn back ) towards the stem .
suggest Stellar Dahlia cultivar for garden use are : Alloway Candy ( Pink / White)Camano Pet ( Yellow / Orange ) .
Single flowered dahlia
Image : Stellar Dahlia ‘ Alloway Candy ’ – Mary St George
Other Dahlia Varieties
There are other type of Dahlia pinnata groupings that do n’t conform to in on the button with the classifications above . This may be because they are groupings that are apply outside the UK , e.g. in the USA , Canada , Australia , or that these are plebeian names give tto various dahlias sharing alike charateristics . Examples of the these Dahlia pinnata varieties are set out below .
Mignon Dahlias
Mignon dahlias are alike to single dahlias . They dissent in that they are small – no more that 2 inches ( 5 atomic number 96 in diam , with florets that are round out at the goal and only two rows of disc floret in the center .
Dinner Plate Dahlias
Dinner plateful Dahlia pinnata are not a separate group . Instead this is a name lend oneself to any diversity that grow huge blooms – i.e. more that 20 centimeter ( 8 column inch ) across . Oftendinner home base dahlias are from the decorativeor fimbriated groups .
Dwarf Dahlias
Dwarf dahlia varieties are also often have sex as bedding dahlias . Dwarf dahlias are technically perennials like any other dahlia , but very often they are acquire as bedding plants that are treat as annuals and discarded at the end of the season .
Dwarf dahlias are small dahlia varieties that only grow to a height of 1 to 3 feet ( 30 to 90 centimeter ) grandiloquent . Given their height , they are well - suited for use in containers andsmall garden . Dwarf dahlias come in almost every colour except blue , and there are many different flower forms available including single , stunt woman , cactus , and more .
One of the benefits of growing midget dahlias is that they do n’t need staking as their short summit constitute them sturdy and less prostrate to toppling over . Dwarf dahlias can also be comprise nicely into motley efflorescence moulding in the garden . Growing them is the same as received dahlia , providing sun and rich well - drain soil . With their diversity of colours and forms , dwarf Dahlia pinnata varieties are a great choice for large visual impact from a compact plant life .
Anemone flowered dahlia‘Jive’
Some pop examples of dwarf Dahlia pinnata variety admit ‘ Lil Becky ’ which has indulgent pinkish double flowers on a compact 20 inch plant . ‘ Parkland Plum ’ is a striking imperial dahlia that only gets 16 inches tall . For bright reddened blooms , ‘ Fire Mountain ’ is a free - unfolding cerise red decorative Dahlia pinnata that farm to 2 base tall . The ‘ Dandy Candy ’ serial offers a rainbow of bicolor duplex - style blooms on dwarf 18 inch plants .
Frequently asked Questions
How many varieties of dahlias exist?
A : There are more than 50,000 record varieties of dahlias . Their appearance can significantly disagree due to the broad range of colors , sizes , and shapes available . Some common type include the pompon , ball , cosmetic , and cactus dahlias .
Can you suggest some popular varieties of dahlias to consider for planting?
A : There are many rattling varieties to choose from , look on what you ’re looking for . The ‘ Bishop of Llandaff ’ is known for its ruby blossoms and dark foliage . ‘ Cafe Au Lait ’ dahlias are pop for their large , blush - color blooms . If you ’re wait for something smaller , consider the ‘ Topmix Purple ’ , which produces vivid imperial efflorescence . If you wantheat liberal varieties of dahliasread our special berth on the matter : fire up resistant dahlias .
What is the difference between a cactus and a decorative dahlias?
A : Look at the pictures above , cactus dahlias have long , spiky petals that give them a star - alike appearance , whereas decorative dahlias have large double flush with insipid or slimly curl petals .
What is the difference between an anemone dahlia and single flowered dahlia?
sea anemone dahlias have bloom with one course of ray florets that are wide at the gratuity , create a ruffled , windflower - same look . exclusive flowered dahlias have blossom with just one row of ray florets that are more uniform in width . Anemone dahlias have a fuller , more ornamental look compare to the dewy-eyed , daisy - like exclusive flowered dahlias .
What is the difference between a decorative dahlia and a stellar dahlia?
Decorative dahlia have fully double flowers with broad ray of light floret that are equally arranged and slightly curved . Stellar dahlia have bloom with prospicient , minute , straight ray florets that give the blush a spiky or wiz - corresponding show . Decorative dahlias calculate fuller and rounded while stellar dahlias have a distinct spiky shape .
What is the difference between a cactus dahlia and a semi-cactus dahlias?
Cactus dahlias have bloom with long , narrow , pointed , and strongly revolute ( rolled back ) electron beam florets that give them a prickly cactus - like look . Semi - cactus dahlia have flowers with ray florets that are still reasonably farsighted , minute and pointed but not to the same extreme revolute extent as in cactus dahlias . Cactus dahlias appear more spiny while semitrailer - cactus are only moderately spiky .
What is the difference between a ball dahlia and a pompon dahlia?
Ball dahlias have globe - shaped , fully two-fold flowers composed of very inadequate , rotund , straight-from-the-shoulder beam florets . Pompon dahlias have to the full two-fold spherical flowers made up of minor , inadequate , petal - like ray floret with rounded tips . Ball dahlia search like perfect nut while pompon have a slightly fluffy show .
What is the difference between a waterlily dahlia and a decorative dahlia?
Waterlily Dahlia pinnata have peak that are across-the-board rather than deep , with ray florets that curve back from the center , creating a wide , flat efflorescence reminiscent of a waterlily . cosmetic Dahlia pinnata have flowers that are more rounded and wide , with broad ray florets that are evenly arrange and slenderly curving but not to the flattened extent of a waterlily dahlia .
What is the difference between a double orchid dahlia and a star dahlia?
Double orchid dahlias have flowers with two or more rows of tenacious , minute , straight and slenderly misrepresented ray florets , giving the flower a spiky catherine wheel look . virtuoso dahlia have flowers with long , flimsy , straight ray of light florets , but unlike the double orchid they have just a individual row of ray florets , creating a spiky star shape rather than a Aeonium haworthii .
What is the difference between a fimbriated dahlia and a cactus dahlia?
Fimbriated Dahlia pinnata have flowers with ray floret that are long , minute , pointed and revolute like a cactus dahlia , but the tips are split into laciniate or fimbriated section . This give them a frilly appearance compare to the fluent floret of cactus dahlias . Cactus dahlia have uniform narrow-minded , point , revolute ray of light floweret that lack the fringe tips of the fimbriated eccentric .
What is the difference between a peony flowered dahlia and a single flowered dahlia?
Peony flowered dahlias have prime with two or more row of ray florets that are broader at the ends , creating a rounded , peony - like bloom . exclusive flowered dahlias have daisy - like flowers with just a single run-in of uniform ray floweret . Peony flowered dahlias are full and more double than the simple exclusive flowered type .
What is the difference between a fimbriated dahlia and a semi cactus dahlia?
Fimbriated dahlias have flowers with longsighted , narrow , pointed , revolute ray floret that have split , fringed summit . Semi - cactus dahlias have flowers with beam floret that are moderately long , narrow and pointed but not exceedingly revolute like a true cactus dahlia . The central conflict is the fringed tips of the fimbriated type compare to the unvarying floret of the semi - cactus .
What is the difference between an anemone flowered dahlia and a collerette dahlia?
Anemone flowered dahlia have blooms with a single row of full , ruffled ray florets that create a full , windflower - alike blossom . Collarette dahlias have a single row of all-encompassing ray of light floret like an sea anemone dahlia but with the addition of a second row of smaller floret in the center that resemble a pinch . Anemone dahlias miss the central leash of the collarette character .
More on Dahlias
you’re able to also get much more guidance on growing dahlias in these posts :
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and nurseryman for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year rivalry . He is a extremity of the National dahlia Society .
He antecedently lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma class in Horticultural study and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He constitute GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The web site is take at everybody who have it away plant or has been sting by the horticulture hemipteran and wants to know more .
Collerette dahlia ‘Poo’
garden stair by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s large mail order works retailer , as a site that write expert horticulture subject matter .
Get the sodding guide to growing dahlias in your garden
Waterlily dahlia
Formal decorative dahlia
Ball dahlia
Pompon dahlia
Cactus dahlia
Semi-Cactus Dahlia ‘Frau Louise Mayer’
Dahlia pinnata (spp)
Fimbriated dahlias
Star Dahlia – Honkavariety
Double orchid dahlia
Paeony dahlia
Stella Dahlia “Alloway Candy’
Dahlia ‘Dark Angel Pretty Woman’(in need of somedeadheading) byF. D. Richardsis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
