Big, bold and brassy – dahlias dazzle in the border and and in a vase. Originating in Mexico, dahlias were first introduced to Europe to be grown for food. However, the unpalatable tubers lead to them instead being grown and bred for their flowers.
You’ll find the widest choice of varieties if you grow dahlias from tubers. The key to a long season of flowering is deadheading. Deadhead often to stop them setting seed and keep new blooms coming. Discover seven gorgeous dahlia varieties to grow, below and browse our guides to the best dahlias for different colours.
Dahlias by flower colourDahlia ‘Arabian Night’ is renowned for its sumptuous, velvety-red double petals. Use a high-potash feed to encourage the production of more flowers.
This gorgeous pompon variety, ‘David Howard’, has rich golden petals, which provide striking contrast with the purple green foliage. Take a look at six more pompon and ball dahlias to grow.
One of the best known Dahlia cultivars, ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, has single to semi-double, ruby red blooms and bronze-green foliage. Here are 10 more single-flowered dahlias to grow.
Try growing this decorative dahlia cultivar for cut flowers, as the flowers of ‘Rothesay Reveller’ are particularly large and showy.
You might need to contact a specialist grower for this variety. For other decorative types, try J Parker’s, de Jager and
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