Comprehensive Guide to Dahlia Flower Types: Understanding Groups and Classification
Dahlias are like the colorful gems of the garden, with a vast array of shades, shapes, and sizes that delight gardeners and florists alike. These vibrant flowers grace our landscapes from midsummer through the end of autumn, adding a burst of freshness just when the summer heat starts to take a toll on other plants.
With over 57,000 cultivars registered worldwide, selecting the perfect dahlias for your garden can be quite a daunting task. However, fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of dahlia classifications to help you make an informed choice that suits your garden needs. Let’s get started!
Dahlia Groups and Classification
Dahlias are categorized into three main groups by the American Dahlia Society based on color, form, and size. Let’s explore each of these categories to give you a better understanding before you choose the perfect dahlias for your garden.
Color
The vivid and diverse color palette of dahlias is one of the reasons why they are so beloved. The ADS Color group consists of 15 distinct shades or color combinations, ranging from deep reds to soft pastels. Here are some of the color options available for your garden:
- Bicolor
- Bronze
- Dark blend
- Dark pink
- Dark red
- Flame
- Lavender
- Light blend
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple and Black
- Red
- Variegated
- White
- Yellow
With such an extensive range of colors to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect dahlia shades to complement your garden’s color scheme.
Form
The Form group encompasses various types of flower structures and petal arrangements, each adding a unique touch to the dahlia blooms. Let’s explore some of the different forms you can expect to find in dahlias:
1. Anemone
Anemone types feature flat ray petals surrounding a pincushion center, creating a striking contrast in the center of the flower. A popular example is the ‘Polka Dot’ dahlia, known for its cream-colored petals edged in dark pink. These blooms are perfect for adding a touch of vibrancy to your garden.
2. Ball and Miniature Ball
Ball and Miniature Ball dahlias have globe-shaped blooms with intricately arranged petals that give them a unique spiral appearance. ‘Ivanetti’ is a notable variety with deep purple flowers that make a statement in any garden setting.
3. Cactus, Incurved Cactus, and Semi Cactus
Cactus dahlias are characterized by their spiky appearance, with long, pointed ray florets radiating out from an open center. Varieties like ‘Bora Bora’ feature vibrant colors and add texture and interest to beds and borders.
4. Collarette
Collarette dahlias have a distinctive collar of shorter petals surrounding the flower’s center, creating a unique layered effect. ‘Night Butterfly’ is a striking example of a Collarette dahlia with deep red outer petals and contrasting inner colors.
5. Decorative, Formal and Informal
Decorative dahlias are known for their double-petaled flowers with flat florets that can have a twisted or wavy appearance. Varieties like ‘Gitts Perfection’ offer large dinnerplate flowers in soft pastel shades, perfect for creating a stunning focal point in your garden.
6. Laciniated
Laciniated dahlias feature fringed petals that give them a delicate, carnation-like appearance. These blooms add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any garden setting.
7. Mignon Single
Mignon Single dahlias boast open-faced flowers with uniform ray florets surrounding a center disk. These compact plants offer stunning blooms in a variety of colors, making them ideal for mass planting in beds and borders.
8. Novelty, Open and Fully Double
Novelty dahlias come in unique flower forms that don’t fit into traditional classifications. These blooms offer a creative twist to your garden display.
9. Orchid
Orchid dahlias feature open flowers with uniform ray florets surrounding a tight disk center. Varieties like ‘Honka Pink’ add a touch of fragrance to your garden with their stunning color combinations.
10. Orchette
Orchette dahlias combine the characteristics of Orchid and Collarette forms, creating intricate blooms with a fringe of short petals surrounding the center disk.
11. Peony
Peony dahlias feature open flowers with multiple rows of ray florets surrounding a center disk. ‘Fascination’ is a compact Peony variety with eye-catching petals and sturdy stems.
12. Pompom
Pompom dahlias have fully double flowers with rounded globe shapes and symmetrical petal arrangements. ‘Burlesca’ is a delightful variety with coral-pink blooms that add a touch of charm to your garden.
13. Single
Single dahlias feature open-faced flowers with overlapping ray florets and frilly anthers, creating a delicate and airy appearance.
14. Stellar
Stellar dahlias have fully double flowers with cupped florets that curve back towards the stem, resembling a shooting star in shape.
15. Waterlily
Waterlily dahlias offer fully double blooms with broad, sparse petals that open from a domed center to a saucer-shaped face, adding a touch of elegance to your garden display.
Size
The Size classification of dahlias helps categorize them based on their flower diameter, providing a good variety of options for different garden settings. Whether you have a small patio or a spacious garden bed, there’s a dahlia size that fits your needs:
- AA – Giant flowers (Dinnerplate)
- A – Large flowers
- B – Medium flowers
- BB – Small flowers
- M – Miniature flowers
- BA – Ball types
- MB – Miniature Balls
- P – Pompoms
- MS – Mignon Single
With this wide range of sizes to choose from, you can select dahlias that best suit your garden’s size and layout, ensuring a perfect fit for any space.
Choosing the Best Dahlias for Your Garden
Now that you have a better understanding of the different dahlia classifications and forms, you can make an informed decision on which varieties will thrive in your garden. From vibrant anemone blooms to elegant waterlily varieties, there’s a dahlia type for every garden style and preference.
Have you selected your favorite dahlia types to brighten up your late-season landscape? Share your choices with us in the comments below and let us know how you plan to incorporate these stunning blooms into your garden.
For more expert tips on growing dahlias and enhancing your garden’s beauty, check out these additional articles:
- How to Lift Dahlias for Winter Storage
- 19 of the Best Flowering Companion Plants for Dahlias
- How and When to Divide Dahlias
With this comprehensive guide to dahlia classifications and types, you’re well on your way to creating a vibrant and colorful garden that will delight you and your visitors all season long.
Remember, the beauty of dahlias lies not just in their stunning colors and forms but also in the joy they bring to your garden and your heart. Happy gardening!
