Just Bloom Florist Guide to Dahlia Varieties
Dahlias are a florist’s treasure, celebrated for their vibrant colors, diverse forms, and stunning visual impact. With thousands of cultivars, dahlias offer endless possibilities for bouquets, centerpieces, and event decor, making them a favorite for weddings and seasonal arrangements. This comprehensive guide explores the key dahlia varieties, their characteristics, uses, and care tips to help florists create breathtaking designs and meet client needs.
1. Decorative Dahlias
Overview
Decorative dahlias are the most popular type in floral design, known for their large, fully double blooms with broad, flat petals, offering a lush, full appearance.
Characteristics
Bloom Shape: Fully double, rounded blooms, 4–12 inches in diameter, with no visible center.
Stem Length: 18–36 inches, ideal for bouquets and centerpieces.
Colors: Wide range, including red, pink, yellow, white, purple, orange, and bi-colors.
Fragrance: Minimal to none.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer to fall (July–October).
Popular Varieties
'Café au Lait': Creamy beige-pink, soft and elegant, perfect for weddings.
'Labyrinth': Coral and pink blend, vibrant for bold arrangements.
'Kelvin Floodlight': Bright yellow, large blooms, ideal for statement pieces.
Uses
Focal flowers in bridal bouquets and centerpieces.
Mixed with roses or greenery for textured designs.
Large-scale event decor, such as arches or installations.
Care Tips
Vase Life: 5–7 days.
Handling: Cut stems at a 45-degree angle under water. Remove lower leaves to prevent rot.
Water: Use lukewarm water with floral preservative, changed every 2–3 days.
Storage: Store at 35–40°F (2–4°C) in a humid cooler to maintain freshness.
2. Cactus and Semi-Cactus Dahlias
Overview
Cactus and semi-cactus dahlias are prized for their spiky, tubular petals, adding a dramatic, textured look to floral arrangements.
Characteristics
Bloom Shape: Fully double blooms with rolled, pointed petals (cactus) or partially rolled petals (semi-cactus), 4–10 inches wide.
Stem Length: 18–30 inches.
Colors: Red, pink, yellow, white, purple, and bi-colors.
Fragrance: Minimal to none.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer to fall (July–October).
Popular Varieties
'Myrtle’s Folly': Pink, orange, and yellow blend, spiky and vibrant for artistic designs.
'Nuit d’Ete': Deep burgundy, cactus type, striking for bold bouquets.
'Yellow Star': Bright yellow, semi-cactus, great for cheerful arrangements.
Uses
Focal flowers in modern or avant-garde bouquets.
Mixed with smoother blooms like peonies for contrast.
Statement pieces in large vases or event decor.
Care Tips
Vase Life: 5–8 days.
Handling: Handle carefully to avoid damaging spiky petals. Trim stems under water.
Water: Use floral preservative in cool water to prevent bacterial growth.
Storage: Store at 35–40°F (2–4°C) to preserve petal texture.
3. Ball and Pompon Dahlias
Overview
Ball and pompon dahlias feature perfectly round, tightly packed blooms, offering a neat, structured look for floral designs.
Characteristics
Bloom Shape: Spherical, fully double blooms; ball dahlias are 2–6 inches, pompons are smaller (1–2 inches).
Stem Length: 12–24 inches.
Colors: Red, pink, yellow, white, purple, orange, and bi-colors.
Fragrance: Minimal to none.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer to fall (July–October).
Popular Varieties
'Jowey Mirella': Deep red, ball type, ideal for dramatic arrangements.
'Cornel': Bronze-red, pompon type, perfect for small bouquets or accents.
'Marble Ball': White with purple streaks, unique for mixed designs.
Uses
Filler flowers in bouquets for a structured look.
Corsages, boutonnieres, or cake toppers due to their compact size.
Mixed with larger blooms for texture in centerpieces.
Care Tips
Vase Life: 5–7 days.
Handling: Trim stems under water; handle gently to maintain round shape.
Water: Use floral preservative in lukewarm water, changed every 2 days.
Storage: Store at 35–40°F (2–4°C) in a humid environment.
4. Anemone-Flowered Dahlias
Overview
Anemone-flowered dahlias have a unique structure with a central disc of tubular florets surrounded by flat petals, offering a delicate, open aesthetic.
Characteristics
Bloom Shape: Single outer petals with a dense center of tubular florets, 3–6 inches wide.
Stem Length: 12–24 inches.
Colors: Pink, purple, yellow, white, and bi-colors, often with contrasting centers.
Fragrance: Minimal to none.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer to fall (July–October).
Popular Varieties
'Totally Tangerine': Bright orange-pink, vibrant for modern designs.
'Blue Bayou': Purple with a yellow center, ideal for artistic bouquets.
'Scout’s Honor': White with a yellow disc, perfect for delicate arrangements.
Uses
Accent flowers in mixed bouquets for texture.
Garden-style arrangements with greenery or wildflowers.
Small vases or solo stems for minimalist decor.
Care Tips
Vase Life: 4–7 days.
Handling: Cut stems under water; protect delicate centers from damage.
Water: Use cool water with floral preservative to extend freshness.
Storage: Store at 35–40°F (2–4°C) to prevent petal wilting.
5. Single and Orchid Dahlias
Overview
Single and orchid dahlias feature open, star-shaped blooms with a single layer of petals, offering a lighter, more natural look for floral designs.
Characteristics
Bloom Shape: Single layer of flat or slightly curved petals, 2–6 inches wide, with a visible central disc (single) or elongated petals (orchid).
Stem Length: 12–24 inches.
Colors: Red, pink, yellow, white, and bi-colors, often with contrasting centers.
Fragrance: Minimal to none.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer to fall (July–October).
Popular Varieties
'Bishop of Llandaff': Bright red with a yellow center, striking for bold designs.
'Honka Pink': Pink, orchid type, delicate for airy bouquets.
'Mystic Illusion': Yellow with a dark center, great for vibrant arrangements.
Uses
Rustic or garden-style bouquets with greenery.
Accent flowers in mixed arrangements for a lighter touch.
Corsages or hairpieces for a natural aesthetic.
Care Tips
Vase Life: 4–6 days.
Handling: Handle gently to avoid damaging open petals. Trim stems under water.
Water: Use floral preservative in cool water, changed every 2–3 days.
Storage: Store at 35–40°F (2–4°C) in a humid cooler.
6. Waterlily Dahlias
Overview
Waterlily dahlias are named for their resemblance to water lilies, with shallow, saucer-shaped blooms that offer an elegant, open look.
Characteristics
Bloom Shape: Double, shallow blooms with slightly curved petals, 4–8 inches wide.
Stem Length: 18–30 inches.
Colors: Pink, white, yellow, red, and bi-colors.
Fragrance: Minimal to none.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer to fall (July–October).
Popular Varieties
'Pam Howden': Bright orange, vibrant for fall arrangements.
'Karma Choc': Deep burgundy, elegant for dramatic designs.
'Glorie van Heemstede': Soft yellow, ideal for classic bouquets.
Uses
Focal flowers in romantic or garden-style bouquets.
Mixed with peonies or roses for a soft, layered look.
Centerpieces or large vases for a refined aesthetic.
Care Tips
Vase Life: 5–8 days.
Handling: Support larger blooms with floral foam or wire. Cut stems under water.
Water: Use deep containers with floral preservative to support heavy blooms.
Storage: Store at 35–40°F (2–4°C) to maintain petal shape.
General Dahlia Care for Florists
Sourcing: Select high-quality dahlias from reputable growers. Choose blooms with firm petals and no browning or wilting.
Conditioning: Cut stems under lukewarm water and place in floral preservative for 4–6 hours to ensure hydration. Remove excess foliage to reduce water loss.
Temperature: Store at 35–40°F (2–4°C) in a humid cooler to prevent dehydration. Avoid ethylene exposure from fruits or wilting flowers.
Design Tips: Pair dahlias with complementary flowers like roses, zinnias, or eucalyptus for balanced arrangements. Use floral foam or grids for structural support in large designs.
Customer Advice: Advise clients to change water every 2–3 days, keep arrangements out of direct sunlight, and trim stems regularly to extend vase life.
Trends in Dahlia Use (2025)
Sustainable Sourcing: Locally grown or organic dahlias are in demand for eco-conscious clients, emphasizing sustainable practices.
Unique Colors: Coral, burgundy, and bi-color dahlias are trending for vibrant, modern designs.
Textured Arrangements: Combining cactus or anemone-flowered dahlias with smoother varieties adds depth to bouquets.
Dried Dahlias: Dried dahlia blooms are gaining popularity for long-lasting decor, especially in autumnal or bohemian settings.
HK Florist Tips
Dahlias are a versatile and captivating flower, offering florists a vast array of shapes, colors, and textures to suit any design style. By mastering the characteristics, uses, and care requirements of each dahlia variety, florists can create stunning arrangements that enchant clients and elevate their craft for any occasion.
