Dahlia Plant Types What Are The Different Varieties Of Dahlia

There are various groups of dahlia, with distinctive flower characteristics.

Single dahlias. Single, white dahlia 'Joe Swift' ...
Cactus dahlias. Red blooms of 'Doris Day' cactus dahlia, with spiky, outwards-curled petals. ...
Semi-cactus. ...
Pompon dahlias. ...
Ball dahlias. ...
Waterlily dahlias. ...
Anemone dahlias. ...
Decorative dahlias.

What are the different types of dahlias?
How many species of dahlia are there?
How do I know what type of dahlia I have?
What are decorative dahlias?
What is the middle of a dahlia flower called?
What colors are dahlias?
Do dahlias multiply?
Are dahlias poisonous?
Where do Dahlias grow best?
What defines a Dahlia?
Should dahlia tubers be soaked before planting?
What does a dahlia tuber eye look like?

What are the different types of dahlias?

How many species of dahlia are there?

We now have 42 recognized species dahlias, plus several sub-species.

How do I know what type of dahlia I have?

Formal varieties have regular, evenly placed petals, while informal varieties tend to be arranged in a more haphazard way. Both varieties grow to over 40 inches. Cactus and semi-cactus dahlias have narrow pointed petals that roll back on themselves, giving them a spiky look.

What are decorative dahlias?

Decorative Dalhlias are double dahlias with broad, flat-tipped petals that are sometimes wavy. The flowers are normally large and the plant size varies from 6-7 ft. giants (2 m) to compact bedding dahlias that grow only 15 in. high (38 cm).

What is the middle of a dahlia flower called?

There are two types of florets: disc florets and ray florets. The inner portion of the capitulum is comprised of florets with tubular corollas; these are the disc florets, and they represent the "center" of a dahlia flower.

What colors are dahlias?

Dahlia Plant Features

Flower colors include peach, red, lavender, white, yellow, orange, pink, and bi-color. Flower shapes vary from tiny pom poms to gigantic, corsage-worthy blooms.

Do dahlias multiply?

Dahlia tubers are sometimes called a "bulb", but they are technically a tuber, similar to a potato. ... Underground, the tubers multiply each year (again, like a potato). You only need one tuber with one "eye" to successfully grow a vigorous dahlia plant.

Are dahlias poisonous?

Dahlia tubers and leaves contain phototoxic polyacetylene compounds that can cause skin irritation in humans who are handling the plant's leaves and tubers in sunlight. The plant can be toxic if eaten in large amounts, according to the North Carolina State University Extension.

Where do Dahlias grow best?

Dahlias grow and flower best in a well-drained, sunny site. They like warm weather and will not tolerate frost. Plant dahlia tubers outdoors after your last frost date, when the soil has warmed. Most dahlias will begin flowering by midsummer.

What defines a Dahlia?

: any of a genus (Dahlia) of American tuberous-rooted composite herbs having opposite pinnate leaves and rayed flower heads and including many that are cultivated as ornamentals.

Should dahlia tubers be soaked before planting?

Before planting, soak tubers in a bucket of tepid water for an hour so they can fully rehydrate. Starting off your dahlia tubers in pots will also encourage them to develop more quickly, so they're likely to start flowering earlier.

What does a dahlia tuber eye look like?

They also both get little “eyes” that sprout into the next year's plants. A dahlia eye is small, and usually just looks like a little bump. Once an eye becomes more developed, it becomes easier to see. At that point, it will be green, red or purple, depending on the variety.