In the middle of summer, beautiful dahlias bloom in the gardens. According to some reports, there are about 15,000 varieties, and this list is regularly updated. Dahlias differ in their shape, color, size and structure of inflorescences, the height of the bush. You can use these flowers not only in single plantings, but also in flower beds, and when creating group compositions. Today we suggest talking about varieties of dahlias. The names and photos of the most popular are waiting for you below!
Dahlias single-row
Gardeners include flowers with simple buds up to 10 cm in diameter in this category. This group is also called simple dahlias. They are characterized by the arrangement of the petals in one row, flat, fully opened flowers. The middle of such dahlias consists of a large number of tubular flowers having a bright yellow hue. The height of a single-row dahlia is usually from 25 to 50 cm, but there are exceptions.
Romeo
Among the most popular varieties of single-row dahlias is Romeo, which is distinguished by a juicy scarlet color. The height of the stem of Romeo is usually about 55 cm. The diameter of the buds depends on the soil and the conditions of detention, usually the flowers reach 10 centimeters. Such dahlias bloom extremely long - they delight the eye until late autumn!
Happy Kiss
A special love for gardeners is the Happy Kiss variety. He was bred from Holland at the very beginning of the XXI century. The flowers of this dahlia have a rich orange hue, their diameter usually reaches 10 cm. Happy Kiss bushes rarely grow above half a meter.
Piccolo
Considering the varieties of annual dahlias (we will certainly introduce you to the names and photos of some of them), one cannot fail to note the vibrant Piccolo flowers. Due to their low growth - about 45 centimeters - they are great for growing both in pots and in open ground. Coloring dahlias of this variety can be very different: red and white, yellow and pink. You can gently pinch the main stem, this will allow you to get a huge blooming ball, which definitely will not leave indifferent any grower!
Funny boys
Representatives of the single-row category are often sold in the form of varietal mixtures. Special attention should be paid to the variety mix Funny guys. For this plant, a height of 70 to 100 cm is characteristic. The diameter of the flowers is usually about 8-10 centimeters. Like Romeo, the variety of annual dahlias Funny Guys is distinguished by a single-row arrangement of petals and a bright yellow core.
By the way, you can save the tubers of your favorite colors and turn them from annuals to perennials! To do this, immediately after the first frosts, dig out the dahlias that attracted you along with a lump of earth, cut off the withered stems, leave the root tubs to dry. Gardeners recommend not removing the remaining soil: it forms a crust that protects the tubers from drying out. The dried tubers must be folded into cardboard or wooden crates, after having lined the bottom with thick paper, and put away in a cool place, for example, in the basement. It is necessary to periodically check the root tubers: it is important that they do not have mold or rot. In the spring of planting material, it is necessary to inspect, remove damaged places with a knife, then sprinkle them with carbon powder. It will also be useful to treat phytosporin. Preserved tubers can be planted immediately in May. They should be sprinkled with earth to the base of the sprouts, which will stimulate the formation of new young roots, on which, in fact, new root tubers will appear.
One-year-old dahlias (pictured) of the Cheerful Kids variety will retain their colors even in subsequent offspring. However, growers note that repeated repetition of the cycle can lead to the fact that root tubers can begin to degenerate.
Anemic (Anemone) Dahlias
As the name implies, the flowers of these dahlias are very similar in appearance to anemones, only terry ones. Their inflorescences usually consist of two to three rows of tender flat petals. This category is represented by both plain varieties and dahlias with a contrasting color core. Low-growing varieties of anemic dahlias usually grow about 30 cm, tall growth reaches 80.
Due to the interesting shape of the flowers, such dahlias go well with perennial annual plants. Landscaping experts recommend planting them in the foreground of flower beds that bloom in spring: this will mask the fading leaves. Anemic dahlias begin to bloom in July and delight with their beautiful appearance until November. When choosing a place for this garden category, you should pay attention to areas with permeable fertile soil located in the sun. The distance between landings should be 30-50 cm.
Boogie Woogie
A variety of dahlias like Boogie Woogie will bring bright colors to your garden and will surely become your favorite variety. Its luxurious dense flowers bloom in July and delight until October. The diameter of the inflorescences ranges from 5 to 10 cm, all of them have a pleasant sweet aroma. The coloring of the Boogie Woogie deserves special attention: the upper petals have a bright yellow hue, the lower ones, in turn, are distinguished by white and pink tones. The petals are located quite densely, strongly dissected at the tips. The bush of this variety is compact, but lush at the same time. Its height is 80-100 cm. The stems are dense, durable, they do not need to be tied to a support. The color of the leaves is dark green. In the reviews of the Boogie-Woogie variety, gardeners note: its flower stalks are stable in cutting, which means they will delight for a whole week, perfectly preserving their decorativeness. You can plant such dahlias not only in the flower beds, but also in containers and flower pots.
Lambada
Reviews of this variety of dahlias say: Lambada is the real queen of the garden! It blooms in July, is characterized by unpretentious care and an incredible play of shades. The top petals of a dahlia of this variety have a pleasant milky hue, the core is dark pink. The lower petals are painted in pleasant pale pink tones. The diameter of a blossoming inflorescence is usually about 15 cm. An anemic Lambada usually grows up to 100-110 centimeters, its stems do not need to be tied up, in rainy weather the flowers do not bend to the ground. This makes dahlias of this variety indispensable for various flower arrangements.
Cactus dahlias
This variety of dahlias is characterized by large buds with an unusual shape of petals - they are all twisted into tubes. Representatives of this group are perennial plants, and therefore they do not need to be dug up in the fall. Varieties of dahlias (in the photo below) of the cactus group are both dwarf and tall: their height can vary between 30-150 cm. The diameter of the flowers is usually about 10-30 cm. Choose a place for cactus species, you should prefer sunny areas, protected from drafts and cold. Florists say that dahlias in this garden category should be exposed to sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. As for the soil, you should choose either sandy or loam.
Stars Lady
Speaking of the best varieties of dahlias, this elegant cactus-like beauty should be noted. Gardeners joke: Stars Lady is direct evidence that beauty requires no sacrifice. This variety is unpretentious, long and lush flowering, which begins in July and continues until the first frost.
Stars Lady's flowers are quite large and dense, the petals have a pleasant creamy shade with a slight pink tint, their edges are twisted into a tube. This variety is characterized by a bewitching aroma. Like other representatives of the cactus group, Stars Lady does not need to be tied to a support. The height of this shrub usually does not exceed 60 cm. This variety is ideal for creating graceful borders.
Park Record
If it seems to you that the garden lacks bright colors, then you should pay attention to such a variety of dahlias as Park Record. This cute dwarf plant is characterized by a height of 40-50 cm, strong stems, densely green leaves. The diameter of one flower of this variety is 15-18 cm. The Park Record variety is characterized by bright paint: the flowers, whose petals are twisted into tubes, have a rich copper-orange hue. It is worth noting that flowering begins in July, it can be called repeated, each flower adorns the bush for 15 days. Florists say that Park Record is simply indispensable for border compositions: it allows you to create a clear and bright line.
Half Cactus Dahlias
Gardeners call semi-cactus varieties a transitional form between cactus dahlias and their decorative forms. Terry inflorescences are characteristic of them, wide petals, which are curled at their base less than half the length. This class has many advantages: for example, they are not particularly whimsical to growing conditions, they grow very quickly and delight with lush flowering. Description of varieties of dahlias of this category pleases gardeners: if you place them on a site where there is enough sunshine, dahlias will bloom in mid-summer and will delight your eyes until the first autumn frosts.
Mix Peppermint
This variety was bred in 1992 in the United States of America. The delicate and at the same time variegated flowering of these dahlias can decorate even the most unsightly corners of the garden. The flowering period falls on July-October, representatives of this variety bloom in dense lush flowers, each 15-20 cm in diameter. The flowers are characterized by a milky shade with chaotic touches of lilac or pink. Each bud blooms for about 2-3 weeks, its flowering is accompanied by a light sweet aroma. The height of perennial dahlias of the variety Peppermint is 130 centimeters, they do not need to be tied to a support. It is worth saying that, like other semi-cactus dahlias, Mix Peppermint does not lean towards the ground.
Aspen
Speaking about the most popular varieties of undersized dahlias, one cannot but say about the Aspen variety. The height of this plant does not exceed 60 cm, not particularly large and flowers - their diameter is usually not more than 10 centimeters. This variety is characterized by a luxurious white color. Aspen blooms in several stages, each lasts about 2-3 weeks. In reviews of the variety, flower growers note its delightful aroma. Typically, such dahlias are used for border planting, decorating flower beds and mixborders. In addition, they are great for growing in pots at home.
Kennemerland
The bright yellow handsome Kennemerland also belongs to the varieties of dahlias of the semi-cactus group. The height of this plant can reach 1.1 m, the diameter of the flower is usually about 11 centimeters. This variety was bred in the Netherlands. The date of its creation is considered in 1973. The bush of the plant is quite dense, keeps its shape perfectly. Differs in unpretentiousness to growing conditions. Luxurious flowering begins in mid-summer and lasts until the first autumn frosts.
Spherical Dahlias
Perhaps the most favorite class of dahlias is spherical flowers. The diameter of the buds of this category usually ranges from 8 to 20 centimeters. As the name implies, the flowers are in the shape of a ball. They are completely terry. Petals are usually arranged in a spiral. Florists note that it is not worth planting spherical dahlias in areas prone to flooding. Their root system does not tolerate high humidity and rots. As a preventive measure, a drainage layer is suitable - broken brick or expanded clay.
Boom Boom Simple
This variety of dahlias (pictured) is distinguished by its delightful shapes and unique shade. For flowers, whose diameter is about 7-10 cm, a dark purple hue and an incredible aroma are characteristic.
The edges of the petals are slightly pointed, the petals themselves are slightly folded, so the flower looks like a neat ball. The flowering time is about four weeks, it is magnificent and repeated. The height of the Boom Boom Perple rarely exceeds 100 centimeters, its stems are very durable, the leaves have a rich green tone. Dahlias of this variety are stable in cutting, perfect for creating combined bouquets. In landscape design, they are usually used for single landing and decoration of mixborders.
Fanny face
The name of the dahlia variety can be translated into Russian as a funny face. Charming colorful balls fill the garden with bright highlights and a stunning aroma. Dahlias begin to bloom in June, at the same time they form spectacular balls, whose diameter is about 10 cm. On the bright yellow petals of Fanny Face there are bizarre strokes of a rich red hue. Gardeners recommend using this variety in flowerbeds and mixborders, Fanny Face looks equally good both in single and in group plantings. In addition, this variety is great for masking not the most decorative parts of the garden.
Pompom dahlias
One of the most spectacular types of dahlias is considered pompoms. Lush inflorescences reach a diameter of 7 cm. In shape, the pom-pom dahlia is a low bush with dense strong shoots. The difference from other species is noticeable in the shape of the petals: they are rolled up into loose tubes along the entire length. Florists note a variety of colors of inflorescences, but such dahlias do not have blue color. But the overflow of tone is surprising, changing from the center of the flower to its edges. Beautiful dahlias pleases with their bright colors throughout the summer season. But even a slight drop in temperature leads to the fact that flowers and leaves die off. Sensitivity to frost is perhaps the only drawback of this category of dahlias.
Snowflake
Do you dream to grow lush snow-white flowers in your garden? Pay attention to a dahlia variety like Snowflake! It belongs to the category of early flowering, bush height reaches 80 cm. Petals slightly twisted, have a snow-white color. Snowflake begins to bloom in July and ends in October. It is worth noting that durable flowers do not fade for a long time, the plant is ideal for cutting. It is also important that this decorative plant can be grown even in a pot on the windowsill.
Golden Touch
The name of this flower can be translated as a golden torch. This is not surprising: under the bright rays of the sun, the petals of these dahlias seem to become even brighter! In reviews of dahlias of this variety, flower growers say this is a real yellow giant. On long peduncles (about 60 cm) there are flowers of a golden or pale yellow hue. The diameter of each bud is about 8-10 cm.