top of page

Spotlight flower - the dahlia

It's almost the end of dahlia season, so I thought it was time to turn the spotlight on this popular flower. When I speak to people at wedding fayres and have these beautiful flowers on display, they're almost always the ones couples ask me about and it's so easy to see why! These gorgeous flowers are vibrant, versatile, and utterly captivating.


One of the most appealing aspects of dahlias is their sheer variety. They're available both in a wide range of colours, from soft pastels to deep, moody shades, but also in a myriad of different shapes and sizes such as tiny pompoms and large front-facing dinner-plate blooms. This gives them the unique ability to fit any wedding theme, whether you’re going for a rustic boho vibe, a classic romantic look, or even a modern, minimalist design, as well as being versatile enough to be used in everything from large installations to tiny buttonhole designs.


Pink and orange dahlias piled up in a basket
Photography by Christopher Lowe

The dahlia's unique and intricate petal structure makes this a truly show-stopping bloom, and gives florists the freedom to give them a leading role as focal points, or to pair them with other flowers, such as roses, as accents in bouquets and arrangements. While they come in lots of different varieties and shapes, their distinctiveness, often full and lush with layers of petals, adds texture and depth to a design that is unrivalled by most other flowers. Dahlias can generally be categorised in the following ways:


Single-Flowered Dahlias

Single-flowered dahlias are simple yet stunning. They have a single row of petals around a central disc, making them look like a classic daisy, and their open centres make them popular among pollinators like bees and butterflies.


Size: Small to medium

Popular Varieties: ‘Twyning’s After Eight,’ ‘Happy Single Flame’


Collarette Dahlias

Collarette dahlias feature an outer row of flat petals, which are then accented with a collar of smaller petals surrounding the flower’s central disc, creating a frilled, double-layered look. These dahlias are elegant and eye-catching, and their contrasting petal colours add to their charm.

Size: Medium

Popular Varieties: ‘Night Butterfly,’ ‘Pooh’


Cactus Dahlias

Cactus dahlias stand out for their spiky, rolled petals, which give the blooms a sharp, dynamic appearance. These petals often curl inward and are pointed at the ends, giving them a striking effect reminiscent of a starburst.

Size: Medium to large

Popular Varieties: ‘Yellow Star,’ ‘Pink Jupiter’


Semi-Cactus Dahlias

Similar to cactus dahlias, semi-cactus dahlias have slightly softer, less spiky petals that still have a textured look. The petals in this variety are broad at the base and roll inward toward the tips, offering a more delicate alternative to the sharp cactus type.

Size: Medium to large

Popular Varieties: ‘Purple Gem,’ ‘Inca’


Ball Dahlias

Ball dahlias are loved for their perfectly spherical shape and tightly rolled petals. These petals are evenly arranged in a spiralling pattern, creating a smooth and rounded bloom that is wonderfully symmetrical.

Size: Small to medium

Popular Varieties: ‘Jowey Winnie,’ ‘Sylvia’


Pompon Dahlias

Similar to ball dahlias but smaller, pompon dahlias are tiny spheres of petals packed tightly together. Their petite, perfectly rounded appearance adds charm to any arrangement.

Size: Small

Popular Varieties: ‘Small World,’ ‘Franz Kafka’


Anemone-Flowered Dahlias

Anemone dahlias are striking for their contrasting appearance. They feature a central disc made of tubular petals surrounded by one or more rows of larger, flat petals. This contrast creates a unique, eye-catching bloom that resembles an anemone, hence the name.

Size: Medium

Popular Varieties: ‘Totally Tangerine,’ ‘Mambo’


Orchid Dahlias

Orchid dahlias are characterised by their delicate, long, and narrow petals, which are usually slightly twisted or curled, giving them a soft, whimsical look. Orchid dahlias are a great way to bring a sense of lightness to a bouquet.

Size: Medium

Popular Varieties: ‘Honka,’ ‘Fancy Pants’


Waterlily Dahlias

As the name suggests, waterlily dahlias resemble the shape of a waterlily, with broad, flat petals that overlap to create a smooth, open flower. This variety has a sophisticated and symmetrical appearance, making them a stunning focal point in bouquets.

Size: Medium to large

Popular Varieties: ‘Pink Giraffe,’ ‘Creme de Cognac’


Dinnerplate Dahlias

Dinnerplate dahlias are the giants of the dahlia family, producing blooms that can reach up to 12" in diameter! With their massive, layered petals, they offer a dramatic and impressive display that makes them the star of the show.

Size: Large to very large

Popular Varieties: ‘Café au Lait,’ ‘Emory Paul’


Peony-Flowered Dahlias

Peony-flowered dahlias have a loose, open form that resembles a peony flower, with multiple layers of broad, slightly ruffled petals, giving them a soft, romantic feel.

Size: Medium

Popular Varieties: ‘Fascination,’ ‘Bishop of Llandaff'


Decorative Dahlias

Decorative dahlias are one of the most common types, and they feature fully double blooms with broad, flat petals that slightly curve toward the tips. These versatile flowers come in a wide range of sizes and colours, making them a particular favourite.

Size: Small to large

Popular Varieties: ‘Thomas Edison,’ ‘Kenora Lisa’


So, are you hoping to harness the beauty and charm of the dahlia in your wedding flower designs? I'd love to hear more about your plans, so please get in touch!


Mel x






コメント


PXL_20230915_150128424_edited.jpg

Hi, thanks for stopping by!

I'm Mel, wedding and events florist, creative magpie and lover of all things colourful. Want to know a little more about me and my business? Click the button below!

Let the posts
come to you.

Thanks for submitting!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Bouquet & Bells recommended supplier badge

© 2023 by Turning Heads. Proudly created with Wix.com

Quirky Weddings Approved Exhibitor Badge
featured on little white books.png
bottom of page