Create Your Garden

Decorative Dahlias

Decorative Dahlia, Decorative Formal Dahlia, Decorative Informal Dahlia

Dahlia Cafe Au lait, 'Cafe Au Lait' Dahlia, Decorative Dahlias, Dinner Plate Dahlias, Dinnerplate Dahlias, Giant Dahlias, Cream Dahlia Flowers, Dahlia Tubers, Dahlia Bulbs, Dahlia Flower, Dahlia Flowers, summer bulbs

Dahlias are a spectacular genus of flowering plants revered for their vibrant and diverse blooms. Native to Mexico, these tuberous perennials boast an array of colors, sizes, and forms, making them a favorite in ornamental gardens worldwide.

Decorative Dahlias: A Blend of Elegance and Versatility

Decorative Dahlias are a stunning group within the Dahlia genus, known for their large, lush blooms that make a grand statement in any garden or floral arrangement. These dahlias are characterized by their broad, flat petals, often arranged in a symmetrical pattern. Ranging in size from smaller varieties to large, dinner-plate dahlias, they are a favorite among gardeners for their striking appearance and diverse color palette.

Formal and Informal Varieties

Decorative Dahlias are divided into formal and informal types based on the arrangement of their petals. Formal varieties exhibit a more symmetrical and structured petal arrangement, creating an elegant and refined appearance. Informal types, on the other hand, have a more relaxed petal arrangement, giving them a playful and spontaneous look. This versatility in form allows them to fit into various garden styles, from classical to contemporary.

Garden Uses

Decorative Dahlias are incredibly versatile in the garden. They can be used as focal points in borders, adding height and drama, or planted in mass for a stunning display of color. Due to their impressive size, they also work well as standalone specimens in large containers. These dahlias are perfect for attracting pollinators and are excellent as cut flowers, thanks to their long vase life and striking blooms.

Most Famous Decorative Dahlia Varieties

Some of the most famous Decorative Dahlias include ‘Café au Lait‘, renowned for its creamy, blush-tinted petals, and ‘Thomas A. Edison‘ with its deep purple flowers. ‘David Howard‘, with its striking orange blooms and contrasting dark foliage, is another popular choice, known for its bright red blooms.

What to Know About Decorative Dahlias

Decorative Dahlias thrive in well-drained, fertile soil and require full sun exposure. They should be planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. Staking is often necessary to support their large blooms, especially in windy areas. Regular deadheading will encourage continuous flowering from midsummer until the first frost. Dahlias are hardy in USDA zones 8-11. In colder zones, tubers need to be lifted and stored over winter.

Decorative Dahlias are not just a beautiful addition to gardens and bouquets; they are also relatively easy to grow and maintain, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Their diverse range of colors and forms allows for endless creativity in garden design and floral displays.

There are hundreds of formal and informal Decorative Dahlias (!!!). Here is the list of our favorite Decorative Dahlias.

Guide Information

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Asteraceae
Genus Dahlia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage

Most Beautiful Decorative Dahlias

Discover These Helpful Dahlia Guides for Further Reading

Compare All Dahlia
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dahlia
Guides with
Dahlia
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Asteraceae
Genus Dahlia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Dahlia
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dahlia
Guides with
Dahlia

Related Items

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone