Dahlias are some of nature’s most glorious flowers, boasting an array of vibrant colors that light up gardens from midsummer to the first frost. But with over 57,000 registered cultivars to choose from, selecting the perfect dahlia for your garden can be a daunting challenge.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of dahlias and offer some tips for choosing the perfect ones for your garden. We’ll also delve into the many different color categories of dahlias, describing each one in detail to help you choose the perfect color scheme for your garden.
Overview of Dahlias
Dahlias are a genus of tuberous flowering plants native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. They are commonly grown for their large, colorful flowers, which range from delicate shapes to huge, dinner-plate sized blooms.
Dahlias can be planted in the garden or in pots, and they thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil. One of the challenges of growing dahlias is simply choosing the right ones.
With over 57,000 registered cultivars, there are a lot of options to sift through! The best approach is to consider your garden’s location and your personal style and preferences. Are you looking for something bold and showy or understated and elegant?
Do you want to grow dahlias in a specific color scheme? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your options.
Color Categories
Dahlias come in an amazing variety of colors, ranging from white to pink, yellow to orange, and virtually every shade in between. To make it easier to choose the perfect dahlias for your garden, the American Dahlia Society (ADS) has created 15 distinct color categories.
Lets take a closer look at each one. 1.
Bicolor – This category includes dahlias with two distinct colors, usually with one color on the petals and a contrasting color at the tips. 2.
Bronze – These dahlias have a warm, orange-brown tone that resembles bronze medals. 3.
Dark Blend – These dahlias have rich, dark tones with blends of several colors. 4.
Dark Pink – These dahlias are pink with dark overtones, creating striking and nuanced color. 5.
Dark Red – These dahlias have a deep, rich red tone that is sure to get noticed. 6.
Flame – These dahlias have a bright, fiery color with blends of orange, red, and yellow. 7.
Lavender – These dahlias have a complex and intriguing blend of purple tones, often with hints of pink. 8.
Light Blend – These dahlias have light tones with blends of several colors, creating a delicate and varied look. 9.
Orange – These dahlias are bright, sunny and full of energy, ranging from pale orange to deep, almost red-orange hues. 10.
Pink – These dahlias range from delicate blush tones to rich, deep shades. 11.
Purple and Black – These dark, dramatic dahlias are almost black, with highlights of purple for a truly unique look. 12.
Red – These dahlias have a bold, attention-grabbing red color that’s sure to make a statement. 13.
Variegated – These dahlias have petals with multiple colors or distinct markings, creating a bold and unique look. 14.
White – These dahlias feature petals that are pure white or with subtle hints of blush or yellow. 15.
Yellow – These dahlias are bright and sunny, ranging from buttery yellow to deep, almost orange-yellow hues.
Choosing the Perfect Dahlias for Your Garden
In addition to choosing colors that speak to you, it’s also important to consider how the dahlias you choose will complement your garden’s overall design. For example, if you’re going for a natural, cottage-garden effect, you might choose dahlias with soft, pastel colors in the Light Blend or Pink categories.
If you’re looking for something bold and eye-catching, the Red or Flame categories might be more your style. One of the most wonderful things about dahlias is that they’re incredibly versatile, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and combinations.
Mix and match dahlias with other types of flowers or create a monochromatic color scheme with different shades of the same color. Ultimately, when choosing dahlias for your garden, it all comes down to personal preference.
Whether you choose bold, bright colors or soft, delicate hues, the beauty of your dahlias is sure to shine through and bring joy and delight to your garden all season long. Dahlias are some of nature’s most stunning flowers, with an amazing variety of vibrant colors, bloom shapes, and sizes.
To help make it easier to choose the perfect dahlias for your garden, the American Dahlia Society (ADS) has created categories for every type of flower lover. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at form and size categories to help you find the perfect dahlias for your garden.
Form Categories
ADS created 15 distinct form categories to help gardeners choose dahlias that are perfect for their gardens. Dahlias come in many different petal structures, bloom shapes and types, so choosing just one type can be tough.
To help you make an informed choice, here’s a brief description of each individual category:
1. Anemone – these dahlias have a pompom center with one or more rows of flattened petals.
2. Ball and miniature ball – these dahlias have a perfectly round petal shape, giving the flower a spherical shape.
3. Cactus – these dahlias have long, narrow and pointed petals that curl inward to create a spiky, star shape.
4. Incurved cactus and semi cactus – these dahlias have long, narrow and pointed petals that curl inward to give a rounded or domed center.
5. Collarette – these dahlias have one or two layers of flat petals surrounding an open center that shows off the disc.
6. Decorative – if you are looking for a full, double layer petal structure, decorative dahlias offer big blooms with curved petals.
7. Formal and informal – all decorative dahlias are available in both informal and formal types, with the latter having perfectly smooth, regular shaped petals with a consistent petal number, while informal types may have petals of different lengths and shapes for a natural look.
8. Laciniate – these dahlias have long, fringed petals with a ruffled or feathery look.
9. Mignon single – these dahlias are small singles that only grow to about 2-3 inches in diameter.
10. Novelty – these dahlias blend designs from other groups, meaning they can come in many variations.
11. Open and fully double – open dahlias have a single or double layer of flat petals surrounding a visible disc, while fully double dahlias have countless layers of petals that can almost conceal the center of the flower.
12. Orchid – these dahlia’s petals curl outwardly and resemble orchids.
13. Orchette – these dahlias resemble miniature orchids with their unusual petal inward curving featuring prominent, yellow-tipped stigmas.
14. Pompon – these dahlias have round petals that form a half-spherical shape and create an overall fluffy feeling.
15. Single – if looking to add a simple and natural feeling to a garden, single dahlias have a central disc surrounded by just one ring of flat petals.
Size Categories
The ADS has created size categories for dahlias, which are identified by letter values from AA to MS. As you plan your garden design, you may want to use specific sizes to perfectly balance out your space, so it’s useful to know what they mean.
1. AA These dahlias are the largest, with blooms measuring up to 10 inches or more.
2. A These dahlias have blooms ranging from 8-10 inches.
3. B These dahlias are medium-large, with blooms that range from 6-8 inches.
4. BB These dahlias have blooms ranging from 4-6 inches.
5. M These dahlias have medium-sized blooms ranging from 3-4 inches.
6. BA and MB These two categories account for borderline sizes, around 4-5 inches.
7. P These dahlias have blooms ranging from 2.5-3.5 inches, making them great for pots
8.
MS These dahlias have mini blooms, 2.5 inches and under, that are perfect for smaller spaces, as edging, or in a rock garden. As you can see, there is an impressive selection of dahlias with different forms and sizes to fit with all preferences.
The best way to get started is to take some time to explore the range of dahlias available. From the huge dinner plate beauties all the way to small singles, there’s a dahlia perfect for every taste and style.
With such a vast selection available, it’s easy to find dahlias in colors, shapes, and sizes that complement your garden while adding a festive and delightful accents. Dahlias are a beautiful addition to any garden, with a vast selection of colors, forms, and sizes.
One of the great things about dahlias is that they’re perfect for many different environments, making them a resilient and versatile choice for any gardener. However, choosing the right dahlias can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available.
In this article, we’ve provided an overview of color, form, and size categories, but there are still other things to consider when selecting dahlias for your garden.
Importance of Dahlia Selection
When selecting dahlias, it’s essential to consider a few things beyond just color, form, and size. First and foremost, consider your climate zone.
Dahlias need a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day, but they also require well-draining soil. If you live in a region with long, hot summers, you may need to choose dahlias that can withstand extreme heat and drought, while gardeners in areas with cooler temperatures may need to choose dahlias that can tolerate colder weather.
Another factor to consider when selecting dahlias is your overall garden design. Think about how the dahlias will complement the existing plants in your garden and discuss layout options with other garden-enthusiasts to get ideas.
If your garden is designed to be minimalist, then opt for more subdued color varieties of dahlias such as whites, pastels, and muted colors. But, for a garden that is noisy with color and full of energy, opt for dahlias in vivid shades like reds, oranges, yellows, and purples.
Pro-tip; Don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of dahlias on different levels, using pots to enhance the overall look.
Where to Buy Dahlia Tubers
Once you have a good idea of which dahlias you’d like to grow, it’s time to start shopping for tubers. Dahlia tubers are available online during the winter months, and you can find a wide range of options at specialized sites such as Eden Brothers.
When choosing a supplier, go for one with great reviews, excellent customer service, and a wide range of options at an affordable price. Make sure that the tubers are shipped at the right time of year so you can ensure a successful growth rate when planting.
Don’t forget to ask questions and gather information on the seller’s product quality and experience!
When you receive your tubers, follow the grower’s instructions carefully. It’s important to store the tubers in a cool, dry place until it’s time to plant, so they can stay fresh longer.
Then when it’s time to plant, refer to the instructions provided by the grower for the best results and make sure you have your soil ready to go. In conclusion, choosing the right dahlias for your garden is all about planning, experimentation, and personal taste.
It’s important to consider the climate, garden layout, and plant combinations before making a purchase, but remember: there’s no right or wrong way to grow dahlias. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled gardener, with a little bit of research and some trial and error, you’ll be growing beautiful dahlias that will add a pop of color and life to your garden for years to come!
In conclusion, choosing the right dahlias for your garden is essential, and there are many factors to consider when selecting the perfect ones.
These factors include climate, garden design, and where to purchase the dahlia tubers. But with the ample selection of colors, forms, and sizes available, you’re sure to find dahlias that will complement your garden style beautifully.
With a little care and attention, your dahlias will reward you with stunning blooms that last all summer long. Below are some FAQs to address common questions or concerns that readers may have:
– What should I consider when selecting dahlias?
Consider your climate zone, garden design, and which colors of dahlias would complement your garden. – Can dahlias grow in different types of soil?
Dahlias need well-draining soil to grow. – Where can I find dahlia tubers?
Sites like Eden Brothers offer a wide range of options and are a reliable source. – How long does it take dahlias to grow?
Dahlias take about 4-6 weeks to grow from tubers to flowers. – Do dahlias need special care?
Dahlias require water, sun, and fertilizing, but care requirements may vary depending on the specific type being grown.