Cactus and Semi Cactus Dahlias
Cactus Dahlias, Semi Cactus Dahlias
Dahlias are absolutely breathtaking flowers. Flowering for months, they inject color and drama wherever you grow them: in mixed borders in the garden, in containers or window boxes on balconies and on patios.
They are available in a rich variety of bloom colors, shapes and sizes. Flowers can be as small as 2 inches in diameter or up to one foot. They can be single-flowering (orchid-flowering, anemone and collarettes) or double flowering (cactus, semi-cactus, formal or informal decorative dahlias, ball and pompons). Their wide height range can start as low as 12 inches and go up to 6 feet.
Cactus and semi-cactus dahlias feature double flowers with long pointed ray petals that revolute or roll back along half their length, giving the flowers a spiky look. Their blooms come in many sizes and most cultivars reach a height of more than 40 inches.
Dramatic-looking, their star-like flowerheads stand up well to inclement weather, since they are less weighed down by heavy rain, or blown about by wind, than other dahlia types.
There are hundreds of Cactus and Semi-Cactus Dahlias (!!!). Here is the list of our favorite Cactus and Semi-Cactus Dahlias.
Most Beautiful Cactus and Semi Cactus Dahlias
Dahlia 'Ace Summer Emotions'
Favorite of many garden enthusiasts, Dahlia 'Ace Summer Emotions' features spectacular and huge lilac-pink blossoms delicately blending to white towards their heart. Irresistible! The flowers are as large as 8 in. wide (20 cm) and they are sure to impress you as well as your neighbors. Blooming prodigiously from July until Frost, this dahlia grows up to 28 inches tall (70 cm). great choice for borders, containers or as cut flowers.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Alfred Grille'
Award-winning Dahlia 'Alfred Grille' makes quite an impression on onlookers with its profusion of spectacular salmon pink flowers blending with gold at their heart. The fully double flowers, up to 6-8 in. wide (15-20 cm), feature elongated velvety petals that curve elegantly towards the face of the bloom and contrast beautifully with the dark green foliage.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Ambition'
Dahlia Ambition's profusion of spectacular bright rich purple flowers. The fully double flowers, up to 6-8 in. wide (15-20 cm) feature elongated velvety petals and are not top-heavy because they contain little water. They remain standing up even when it rains.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'American Dream'
Award-winning Dahlia 'American Dream' is quite impressive with its profuse and spectacular, large pink flowers with thin raspberry stripes. The fully double flowers, up to 8-10 in. wide (20-25 cm) feature elegant elongated petals and are not top-heavy. They remain upright and straight even when it rains. Blooming prodigiously from July until Frost, this dahlia grows up to 40 inches (100 cm). Perfect for borders or as cut flowers
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Bora Bora'
Award-winning Dahlia 'Bora Bora' is an amazing fusion of colors with its profusion of spectacular dark coral-pink flowers blending to gold at their heart. The fully double flowers, up to 6-8 in. wide (15-20 cm) feature attractive, elongated velvety petals that will spice up your life. grows up to 36 inches (90 cm) and is a perfect choice for borders or as cut flowers. Winner of multiple awards
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Bridge View Aloha'
Such a fabulous cocktail of color provided by award-winning Dahlia 'Bridge View Aloha' with its profusion of spectacular bright golden flowers flushed with scarlet at their tips! The fully double flowers, up to 8 in. wide (20 cm) feature elongated velvety petals and are not top-heavy. We could stare into the blooms of this dahlia for days. Blooming prodigiously from midsummer until frost, this dahlia grows up to 56 in. (140 cm) and is an excellent choice to create a lovely garden display or for showing.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Color Spectacle'
Such a fabulous cocktail of color provided by Dahlia 'Color Spectacle' with its profusion of spectacular coral orange flowers elegantly tipped in white! The fully double flowers, up to 8-10 in. wide (20-25 cm) feature elegant, elongated velvety petals. When the light hits the bloom they shimmer, and it is cheerful and bedazzling to behold. Grows up to 3-4 ft. (90-120 cm)
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Dutch Explosion'
Try tearing your eyes away from Dahlia Dutch Explosion's profusion of spectacular crisp white flowers delicately tipped in purple! The fully double flowers, up to 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm) feature elongated velvety petals and are not top-heavy because they contain little water. They remain upright and straight, even when it rains. Blooming prodigiously from July until Frost, this dahlia grows up to 40 inches (100 cm) and is a great pick for borders or as cut flowers
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Frigoulet'
Try tearing your eyes away from Dahlia Frigoulet's profusion of spectacular bright red flowers delicately tipped in white! Strong and striking, the fully double flowers, up to 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm) feature elongated velvety petals and contrast beautifully with the dark green foliage. Blooming continuously from July until Frost, this dahlia grows up to 60 inches (152 cm) and is an excellent choice for borders or as cut flowers.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Hart's Autumn Splendor'
Dahlia 'Hart's Autumn Splendor' is a very cheerful and showy Semi-Cactus Dahlia with glowing orange petals blending to canary-yellow at their base. The fully double flowers, up to 8-10 in. wide (20-25 cm) feature elegant, elongated petals. When the light hits the bloom they shimmer, and it is cheerful and bedazzling to behold. Perfect for bouquets thanks to its great stems.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Henriette'
Dahlia 'Henriette' is a magnificent and eye-catching dahlia that displays sparkling salmon-pink blossoms, delicately fading to cream towards the tips of their elongated petals. When the light hits the blooms, they shimmer, and it is bedazzling to behold. The flowers of this Semi-Cactus Dahlia are quite spectacular, about 4-6 inches across (10-15 cm), and absolutely irresistible. They are not top-heavy and stand up nice and straight, even when it rains. Blooming massively from July until frost, this dahlia grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and is an excellent choice to create a long-lasting garden display. Fabulous cut flowers too!
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Karma Bon Bini'
Try tearing your eyes away from Dahlia Karma Bon Bini's profusion of spectacular, glowing orange-red flowers with a golden heart! The fully double flowers, up to 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm), feature elongated velvety petals. They are born on strong stems that make this gorgeous dahlia ideal for cutting and summer bouquets. Looks great in the garden too!
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Karma Corona'
Try tearing your eyes away from Dahlia Karma Corona's profusion of spectacular, glowing salmon-orange flowers with a golden heart! The fully double flowers, up to 8 in. wide (20 cm), feature elongated velvety petals and are not top-heavy. Rising on sturdy stems, they stand up nice and straight, even when it rains. Especially suited for cutting, Dahlia 'Karma Corona' is an eye-catching beauty which benefits from an outstanding vase life (7-12 days) and belongs to the 'Karma' Collection, a series of Dahlias bred to produce exceptionally long-lasting cut flowers. Blooming massively from July until frost, this dahlia grows up to 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and stands out in the garden and in bouquets.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Karma Pink Corona'
Try tearing your eyes away from Dahlia Karma Pink Corona's profusion of spectacular, lilac-pink flowers with elegant rich pink streaks that run along the length of their petals! The fully double flowers, up to 8 in. wide (20 cm) feature elongated velvety petals, delicately recurved towards their pointed tips. Rising on sturdy stems, they stand up nice and straight even when it rains. Especially suited for cutting, Dahlia 'Karma Pink Corona' is an eye-catching beauty which benefits from an outstanding vase life (7-12 days) and belongs to the 'Karma' Collection, a series of Dahlias bred to produce exceptionally long-lasting cut flowers.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Karma Sangria'
This magnificent and eye-catching dahlia displays long-lasting, hot pink blossoms with gold highlights atop a dark green, serrate foliage. No wonder it won multiple awards. Just look at it! The flowers are quite spectacular, about 6 inches across (15 cm), and absolutely irresistible. This dahlia is an excellent choice to create a lovely garden display or for showing.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Melody Gipsy'
Dahlia 'Melody Gipsy' is a magnificent member of the brilliant Melody collection with its masses of showy, semi-double, bright pink flowers delicately exhibiting their creamy-yellow centers. The flowers, about 5.5 inches across (14 cm), are incredibly beautiful and remain upright and straight, even when it rains. A compact, very floriferous dahlia that has the appeal of much larger varieties. Grows up to 28 inches tall (70 cm) and is an excellent choice for borders, containers or as cut flowers.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'My Love'
Dahlia ' My Love' is a lovely semi-cactus Dahlia with creamy-white flowers radiating out from a greenish-yellow heart. The fully double flowers, up to 6 in. wide (15 cm), feature elongated, pointed petals and rise on sturdy stems. They stand up nice and straight even when it rains due to their star-shaped form. Excellent for cutting, Dahlia 'My Love' looks stunning in the border too! Grows up to 48 inches tall (120 cm)
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Nuit d'Ete'
Award-winning Dahlia 'Nuit d'Ete' is a devilishly dark burgundy-red semi-cactus dahlia. The profuse and spectacular spiky flowers, up to 5 in. wide (12 cm), feature elegant elongated velvety petals and resemble elegant sea-urchins. Winner of multiple awards, this dahlia grows up to 55 inches (140 cm) and is an excellent choice for borders or as cut flowers thanks to its superb vase life.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Dahlia 'Park Princess'
Can leave no one untouched! Dahlia Park Princess' is a magnificent Cactus Dahlia with its masses of showy, bright pink flowers delicately exhibiting their creamy-yellow centers. The flowers, up to 4 inches across (10 cm), are incredibly beautiful and are not top-heavy. They stand up nice and straight even when it rains. Winner of multiple awards (140 according to the American Dahlia Society!)
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Purple Gem'
Dahlia 'Purple Gem' is a magnificent and eye-catching dahlia with rich-purple, cactus-shaped blossoms, adorned with elongated petals. When the light hits the blooms, they shimmer, and it is bedazzling to behold. The flowers are quite spectacular, about 5 in. across (12 cm), and absolutely irresistible. They are borne atop long, sturdy, burgundy stems and are excellent for cutting. Blooming massively from July until frost, this dahlia grows up to 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and stands out in the garden and in bouquets.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
---|---|
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Star's Favorite'
Such a fabulous cocktail of color with its profusion of spectacular soft pink flowers blending to ivory at their heart! The fully double flowers, up to 6-8 in. wide (15-20 cm), feature elongated velvety petals that curve elegantly towards the face of the bloom. Introduced in 1987, Dahlia 'Star's Favorite' is the winner of many awards. A truly unique dahlia.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Surprise'
Dahlia 'Surprise' is a breathtaking beauty that displays sparkling peach blossoms, delicately fading to cream towards the tips of their elongated petals. When the light hits the blooms, they shimmer, and it is bedazzling to behold. The flowers of this Semi-Cactus Dahlia are quite spectacular, about 8-10 inches across (20-25 cm), and absolutely irresistible.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Tahiti Sunrise'
This dahlia will steal the show. Award-winning Dahlia Tahiti Sunrise with its profusion of spectacular bright red flowers blending to yellow at their heart and delicately tipped in purple! The fully double flowers, up to 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm) feature elegant, elongated velvety petals. When the light hits the bloom they shimmer, and it is cheerful and bedazzling to behold. Grows up to 28 inches (70 cm). great dahlia for borders, containers, or as cut flowers. Winner of multiple awards
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Dahlia 'Verda'
Dahlia 'Verda' is a breathtaking beauty which displays sparkling white blossoms radiating out from greenish yellow centers. The flowers of this Semi-Cactus Dahlia are quite spectacular, about 8-10 inches across (20-25 cm), and absolutely irresistible. They are not top-heavy and stand up nice and straight, even when it rains. Make sure you plant more than you need, as they are fabulous in bouquets too. Grows up to 4 ft. tall (48 cm)
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHeight | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
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Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
You may want to review these useful guides too
Anemone and Collarette Dahlias
Anemone Dahlias feature an outer ring of flat ray petals arranged in a wreath and surrounding masses of tiny, elongated disk florets which form an intriguing floral pincushion. Collarette Dahlias are small to medium flowers with large flat ray petals surrounding an open center. Within the ray and surrounding the center is a wreath of shorter petals, often of a different color: this forms the “collar.”
Beautiful Dahlias to Crave For
Dahlias are absolutely breathtaking flowers. Flowering for months, they inject color and drama wherever you grow them: in mixed borders in the garden, in containers or window boxes on balconies, and on patios.
Dahlias with Dark Foliage
These unusual dahlia varieties are really worth mentioning and should not be overlooked by the gardener. Why? Because these beauties offer masses of stunning flower colors that contrast strikingly with their deep mahogany-to-black foliage. Effect in the garden guaranteed! Here is the roster of these most popular beauties.
Decorative Dahlias
Decorative Dahlias can be formal with flat petals evenly and regularly placed throughout the flowers, or informal with generally flat petals, sometimes slightly rolled at the tips, but with irregular arrangement of formation.
Mignon and Single Dahlias
Single Dahlias feature blooms with a single row of flat or slightly cupped ray florets arranged in a flat plane, uniformly overlapping, preferably in the same direction with no gaps. The disc flowers may have up to three rows of bright yellow or orange pollen and the blooms are over two inches in diameter (5 cm). Pollinators love these Single-Flowered Dahlias!
Peony-Flowered and Orchid Dahlias
Peony Dahlias are open centered flowers with two or more rows of large and voluptuous petals surrounding a disc. Orchid Dahlias are also open centered flowers with one ray of florets surrounding a disc (Single Orchid) or a fully double bloom showing no disc (Double Orchid). The florets involute for two-thirds or more of their length.
Pompon and Ball Dahlias
Pompon and Ball Dahlias feature relatively small, fully double, globe-shaped flowers with petals blunt or slightly rounded at their tips. How not to marvel at the perfect petal arrangement of these dahlias? They display an infinite swirl of florets with fold upon fold of incredibly flawless petals.
Waterlily Dahlias
Waterlily Dahlias do resemble waterlily flowers and make excellent cut flowers, as the stems of many varieties have been bred to be very long and sturdy. Whether in a vase or elegantly floating in a shallow bowl, they are perfect eye-catchers!
Keep on cutting:
- The more you cut them, the more flowers you get. This makes dahlias twice as nice: pretty in a vase, pretty in the garden. A great big flower in a vase or floating in a shallow bowl makes the perfect eye-catcher.
Preferred location and planting
- Dahlias prefer a sunny location. This could be in the border, but they will also thrive in pots on the terrace or balcony. If planted in containers, however, they will require large ones filled with enough potting compost for proper growth.
- When planting in the border, dig a large hole of at least 15 cm across and 15 cm deep. Cover the tubers with 2-3 cm of soil, tamp down the soil after planting, and water the plants generously.
- These plants will also require sufficient quantities of water during cultivation, whether this is in a container or in the garden. This is important for their development as well as for the initiation of flower buds. A soil that retains moisture is definitely an advantage. When watering with a watering can, adding a little liquid fertilizer can’t hurt. The plants will then produce even more flowers.
Garden Examples
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 | Dahlia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | 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 | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage |
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 | Dahlia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | 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 | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage |
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