TOP 7 Must Grow Dahlias
Dahlias are wonderful additions to any garden or flower farm. They are beautiful and come into bloom for us around August and really reach their peak September. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. One of my favorite things about dahlias is that you can take one tuber (which is like a bulb so to speak) and if the stars align just right you can propagate them for a 3-10x increase.
In order to increase your stock you can do a few things. Takings cuttings or dividing tuber clumps will give you a "clone" or exact copy of that plant. However, if you take the seed you will create a new, never before seen variety. Which is how flower breeders create new varieties to sell. But you don't have to be a flower breeder to enjoy saving seed to make fun new varieties for you enjoyment. I think my favorite part about this process is breeding a new flower and giving it a name that is meaningful. I'd love to breed dahlias to name after my kiddos. How sweet would it be to have a flower you bred and then maybe one day your children can plant them in their gardens?
After an entire year with the beauties, I've been making observations and taking notes.
I've recorded my favorites and this post is going to share the TOP 7 Must Grow Dahlias. These dahlias are perfect for the home gardener that might just want to spruce up their curb appeal. Or even those you would be smitten to cut and enjoy fresh bouquets. They are easier to grow then we've come to believe. And these 7 dahlias are ones that I will be growing a lot more of next year! My you-pick guests loved them, people that attended flower workshops adored them, and when we had them at the Flower Cart they would sell like HOT CAKES (which makes me kinda hungry because it's breakfast time).
-Cornel
-Valley Rust Bucket
-Gerrie Hoek
-Chewy
-Cornel Bronze
- Gitts Attention
-Golden Scepter
These are just some of the varieties that I grew this year that stood up tall and proud in the field. They produced a ton of flowers. And they have so many lovely layers, they make anyone's heart pitter patter.
Cornel
Cornel is a ball form dahlias. These last a long time cut and in a vase. Cornel grows tall and produces abundantly. You can see here how tall one of the budding stems is behind me, and I'm 5'9 on a good day. I love cornel for fall bouquets. The moody jewel tone would be the perfect addition to your garden. It's almost a red but also burgundy. I love it!
Valley Rust Bucket
Valley Rust Bucket is that perfect rusty orangey, pinkish red. Tons of fluffy petals that just catch the eye. I love how many flowers each plant produces. It's the perfect fall color. Not too orange, not too pink, just right!
Gerrie Hoek
If you've been following my social media account you know how I feel about this water lily dahlia. She is my favorite. Almost looks like peony. And anything that has pink and yellow is sure to steal my heart, no questions asked. I love how she is perfectly happy all by herself in a flower arrangement. Many times throughout dahlia season I enjoyed cutting straight bunches of just her to put on my night stand. Must I say more? You NEED her in your garden. That is all.
Chewy
Chewy. But not like the dude from star wars... but maybe kinda cute like him? Is that weird. I love the color. And the petals are an almond shape that is really lovely. The blooms face upright which for a wrapped bouquet or arrangement is really nice to work with. Out of all the flowers on this list, it might just be the best flower producer. If you're taking cuttings it really cranks them out too! 10/10
Cornel Bronze
Cornel bronze is another must grow. And honestly this picture does not do it justice. Sorry CB! Another ball form dahlia. Super prolific when it comes to flower production. I really appreciated how tall and sturdy this plant grew. It's a soft orange color that I could not get enough of. I'm definitely growing more of this little fella next year. And I'll be sure to take better pictures too!
Gitts Attention
This one lives up to its name! It Gitts all da attention around here. I used it a lot for sympathy or celebration of life arrangements. It's a big honk'in flower that adds great mass to an flower arrangement. The plant grows tall and proud. Words fall short when it comes to describing this one. You'll have to grow it to know it!
Golden Scepter
This little guy is a power house. He just cranks out the blooms over and over again. I loved this whipped honey creamy color that fades to orange as you get closer to the center. It's that little accent blooms that adds the little something your arrangement was missing. Random thought how do we choose if flowers are boys or girls?