10 Types Of Dahlia Bulbs

Written by Phil Dubley
Published: March 7, 2023
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Dahlias are flowering plants native to Mexico that come in many shapes and sizes. They can act as a stunning centerpiece in floral arrangements or give your garden a distinctive touch. Sadly, they lack a strong fragrance, but their unique beauty makes them perfect for every occasion.

Instead of sprouting from bulbs, dahlias grow from tubers — thick underground organs that store the nutrients the plant needs. Anyhow, this doesn’t make a significant difference when growing and caring for them compared to other flowers.

Since this plant’s variety can be overwhelming, we’ve compiled a list of the main types of dahlias, with one or two of our favorite cultivars from each. We’ll also give you some valuable tips to ensure your success when planting this gorgeous flower.

Types of Dahlia Bulbs

There are many types of Dahlia bulbs, each with a unique appearance that will catch the eye of anyone passing by. Luckily, none of these require specific care, so you can plant them together to create a beautiful garden bed.

Cactus and Semi-Cactus Dahlias

Cactus dahlias have narrow petals that curl backward, giving them a cactus-like appearance. Semi-cactus dahlias have broader petals that also roll up, giving them a less spiky (but still imposing) look.

They are perfect for adding texture to your garden, although they may seem intimidating in large quantities. In addition, their particular shape and size make them more resistant to heavy rain and strong winds.

Dahlia ‘Alfred Grille’

This double-blooming cactus Dahlia has petals that go from yellow to soft pink — an exquisite combination that has earned it numerous awards.

Dahlia ‘Alfred Grille’
Dahlia

‘Alfred Grille’ is a cactus

Dahlia

with petals that go from yellow to soft pink.

©iStock.com/mr_coffee

Dahlia ‘Chat Noir’

This semi-cactus cultivar has one of the most stunning color blends, with a deep red that inches toward black near the center. It’s perfect for a dramatic decoration, providing a shock factor to every bouquet that includes them.

Red Dhalia variety 'Chat Noir'
Dhalia

‘Chat Noir’ is a cultivar that produces dramatic deep red flowers.

©iStock.com/vasare

Decorative Dahlias

Decorative dahlias are similar to cactus dahlias, with curling petals that are looser instead of rolled up. Formal decorative dahlias have flat, symmetrical petals, while informal varieties have irregular formations and shapes.

Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’

Any bride’s best friend, this flower’s delicate white petals turn light pink at the base, providing a subtle accent to any bouquet.

Dahlia 'Cafe au Lait' flower
Dahlia

‘Cafe au Lait’ has delicate white petals that turn light pink at the base.

©iStock.com/Maksims Grigorjevs

Pompon and Ball Dahlias

Pompon dahlias are small and perfectly round with quilled petals, while ball dahlias have flattened tops and spiraling, rounded petals. Their fully double blooms and compact shape earn them high praise at gardening competitions.

Dahlia ‘Wizard of Oz’

This light pink pompon Dahlia has rounded petals and a perfectly spherical shape, making it eye-catching despite its miniature size. A whole bouquet of these flowers can be a stunning gift for just about anyone.

Dahlia 'Wizard of Oz'
Dahlia

‘Wizard of Oz’ is a light pink pompon

Dahlia

with rounded petals and a perfectly spherical shape.

©Gardens by Design/Shutterstock.com

Anemone and Collarette Dahlias

Anemone dahlias have a central disk surrounded by one or more rows of flat petals. Collarette dahlias are smaller, with flat petals on their outside layer and thin, elongated petals that form a collar around the center.

Dahlia ‘Impression Fuego’

This dahlia has broad burgundy petals, contrasting with the yellow collar surrounding its golden center.

Dahlia ‘The Phantom’

This unique anemone dahlia has a row of large pink and white petals that shrink toward a second layer of orange and purple florets, making it an unmatched beauty.

Dahlia collarette flower

Collarette dahlias have flat petals on their outside layer and thin, elongated petals that form a collar around the center.

©Jiab Ja/Shutterstock.com

Single-Flowered and Mignon Dahlias

Single-flowered dahlias have a single row of petals surrounding a central disk abundant in pollen. Mignon dahlias are very similar but have petals with rounded tips and are smaller in diameter. Since they are one of the few single-flowered Dahlia types, they are perfect for attracting bees and other pollinators to your garden.

Dahlia ‘Happy Single Romeo’

While subtler in its arrangement of petals, its wine-red color starkly contrasts with its black center, which has a yellow crown. This flower can’t go unnoticed, despite its reduced size.

Dahlia ‘Scura’

While even smaller than Single Romeo, this cultivar can hold its own with its gold-speckled orange petals and dark center. Scuras are perfect for forming a thin line of smaller flowers at the front of your garden.

Dahlia 'Happy Single Romeo'

Single-flowered dahlias have a single row of petals surrounding a central disk abundant in pollen.

©Lana B/Shutterstock.com

Peony-Flowered and Orchid Dahlias

These two types are hybrids, with peony dahlias having large, voluptuous petals around a disc. Orchid dahlias, instead, have wide, slightly involute petals with double-bloom and single-bloom varieties.

Peony Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’

This semi-double flower is dark red throughout, with burgundy leaves below its crimson petals and black centers.

Orchid Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’

Uncommonly fragrant, this dahlia is impressive despite its few petals due to its cone-like shape and amber-colored center.

Orchid Dahlia 'Honka Surprise'

Dahlia ‘Honka Surprise’ is a single orchid

Dahlia

with wide, slightly involute petals.

©Walter Erhardt/Shutterstock.com

Growing and Caring for Dahlia Bulbs

While you can plant them anywhere, dahlias require a temperate climate that leans toward cold temperatures. They prefer well-drained soil with lots of organic matter and full sun. You should plant them in the spring, after the last frost.

For a more exact reference on the ideal temperatures, make sure to check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. Dahlia bulbs thrive in Zones considered to be 9 and 10, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

You also have the option to plant them indoors before the last frost, planting the tubers in pots under 2″ of moist soil. They’ll need to be in a warm place with sunlight and sparingly watered until they begin to gain height. Once the soil’s temperature stabilizes above 60° F, transplant them outdoors.

Dahlias can grow very tall, so staking them is crucial to ensure upright plants. This also means you should shelter them from the wind, which could topple them over or damage their flowers.

Dahlias require regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather, so water them deeply once or twice a week. Regular fertilizing will ensure bountiful blooms. Use an all-purpose fertilizer during the growing season and a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer once or twice a month after the first bloom.

Over-watering these plants may lead to diseases such as powdery mildew, root rot, crown gall, and some viruses. If you have a single-flowered variety, avoid using pesticides to protect pollinators and manually remove aphids or caterpillars.

Try to harvest their flowers often, as this will stimulate blooming and leave you with gorgeous flowers for gifts or vases. If you’ve forgotten to do so, remove spent flowers to maintain the plant’s attractiveness and encourage further flowering.

Once the plant becomes dormant in preparation for the winter, we recommend digging out the tubers and preserving them in a cool, dry, dark place until spring.

Dahlia plant tubers dug up for winter

Dahlia plant tubers should be dug up for winter storage in cold climates.

©ABO PHOTOGRAPHY/Shutterstock.com

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/AndreaObzerova


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About the Author

My name is Phil Dubley, I am a Canadian living in Argentina, but tomorrow I could be writing from anywhere else. Throughout my life, I've been in love with nature: plants, animals, people, and everything in it. I have a passion for wild animals - snakes, sharks, and felines have always fascinated me. As for plants, I love succulents. I have a collection of over ten different varieties on my terrace. Also, I use the hemp plant as CBD oil for sleep: it has been the only thing to tackle my insomnia effectively. I want to share all my knowledge about the areas I am passionate about with others who feel the same way. I hope you enjoy my articles, and in each one, you learn something new!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Do dahlias attract pollinators?

Many dahlia cultivars are double blooms, replacing flower heads with extra petals that pollinators can’t feed off. Single-flower varieties with an exposed center are optimal for bumblebees and honey bees.

Can I mix different types of dahlias in one garden bed?

Yes, you can mix different types of dahlias in your garden if you have enough space between them to accommodate their tall stems and leafy foliage. Creating a balanced color palette in your dahlia mix is a sure way to catch the eye of all your guests.

What do dahlias symbolize?

Dahlias represent beauty and resilience, which is no surprise given their beautiful flowers that bloom repeatedly even after most plants die. However, during the Victorian era, they were considered symbols of devotion, love, and dignity.

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