Dahlias are grouped according to flower type, and decorative dahlias are among the showiest of all, producing large, fully double flowers with slightly flat and broad petals, often with a blunt end, and no central disc. They’re the largest of all the dahlias – flowers can be 10-25cm in diameter.
Decorative dahlias are further divided into formal and informal types, depending on whether the petals are held in a regular pattern or are irregular in shape and layout. They come in a range of colours including pink, red, purple, white and orange. Compact decorative dahlias can be grown in pots, though note that ‘miniature’ refers to flower size rather than plant height.
Grow decorative dahlias in a sunny sheltered spot in good fertile soil. Plant the tubers under cover in small pots and cover with soil, leaving the tips showing. Plant outside once all danger of frost has passed, usually from the end of May or early June. Dahlias will come back each year, but in frost-prone areas tubers may need to be lifted and brought under cover over winter.
‘Arabian Night’
Dahlia ‘Arabian Night’ bears fully double, deep burgundy flowers up to 10cm in diameter. The shading of individual petals can vary from bright red to deep maroon, creating a striking appearance. Height x Spread: 1.2m x 40cm
‘Art Deco’
Dahlia ‘Art Deco’ is a compact dahlia, perfect for growing at the front of a border. It bears huge, apricot-pink double flowers throughout summer. H x S: 90cm x 40cm
‘Checkers’
Dahlia ‘Checkers’ is a miniature decorative dahlia, bearing small, bi-coloured flowers in pink and white, from midsummer to autumn. H x S: 90cm x 40cm
‘David Howard’
Dahlia ‘David Howard’ handsomely contrasts attractive flowers and foliage, with miniature orange blooms and dark bronze-purple leaves. H x S: 75cm x 40cm
‘Gateshead Festival’
Dahlia ‘Gateshead Festival’ bears small blooms that open orange with a pale yellow centre, then fade as the flowers mature to salmon and cream. H x S: 1.2m x 40cm
‘Leopold Chloe’
Dahlia ‘Leopold Chloe’ is a small-flowered decorative dahlia, bearing double, rich pink flowers. H x S: 1.2m x 40cm
‘Rothesay Reveller’
Dahlia ‘Rothesay Reveller’ is a medium-flowered decorative dahlia, bearing purple and white flowers up to 20cm in diameter. H x S: 1.2m x 40cm
‘Sir Alf Ramsey’
Dahlia ‘Sir Alf Ramsey’ is a large-flowered decorative dahlia, bearing huge, double pink flowers up to 25cm in diameter. H x S: 1.3m x 40cm
‘Westerton Lilian’
Dahlia ‘Westerton Lilian’ bears huge primrose-yellow flowers with pinkish tones. H x S: 1.3m x 40cm
Advice on buying decorative dahlias
- Dahlias can be bought as tubers to pot up and then plant in spring, or as garden ready plants to plant out straight away
- For the widest variety of decorative dahlias look at nurseries online
- Always check plants and tubers for signs of damage or disease before planting
