Did you know that dahlias come in at least 20 forms (plus “micro” forms of most?)? Because of the amazing genetic diversity contained in the DNA of these glorious plants, hybrid seed crosses can produce a vast array of different-looking blooms. These forms can show up in many different sizes, too.
Here are photos of 16 of the most common forms we grow at Triple Wren, all showcased in light pink:
Informal decoratives (like this dinnerplate-sized Strawberry Ice) are lush and romantic, the pillowy stars of the dahlia show.
Formal Decorative form dahlias (like BLQ Pink Parfait) are very uniform in shape, although they can have amazing color variation within their tidy petals! They do slightly recurve (especially as blooms mature), but they are more flat than ball forms.
Ball forms have recurved petals that open evenly to form a globe (see Wizard of Oz).
Mini Ball form dahlias like Irish Candy, at right below, are smaller versions (between 1″-2″) of ball form dahlias. They are similar to formal decorative dahlias in that they are very uniform in shape, and reflex back like ball forms. Pompon form dahlias, like Ms. Buttons, at left below, are even smaller versions (around 1″) of this form.
Anemones have ray petals that can stream back like a comet and a pouffe of central florets (like the well-named Sandia Pouffe).
Semi cactus forms (like Bo Peep, pictured below) and Incurved cactus forms (like Hollyhill Cotton Candy ) have varying degrees of spikiness and twistiness, often winning popular opinion polls as the most unusual, textural, or interesting dahlias. Straight Cactus dahlias (or “cactus-cactus” as Steve likes to call them) have petals that reflex back towards the stem.
Collarette form dahlias (like BLQ KellyAnn F) are to many people the “sweetest” forms, with open centers surrounded by petaloid and simple, symmetrical ray petals.
Laciniated forms (like Hollyhill Pinkie – Sarah’s favorite!) are fluffy, shaggy, fringed, and fuzzy. Their notched tips add a special beauty to the garden.
Novelty Fully Double (like Valley Porcupine) and Novelty Open forms don’t fit well into any other category, but they’re so beautiful that even form-focused dahlia judges can’t bear to exclude them!
Stellar forms (like Alloway Candy) are star-like as their name suggests, and have longer, uniform (often pointed) petals with a bit of space between.
Waterlily form dahlias (like Sandia Rose, pictured below) resemble a classic pond waterlily, with layers of uniform petals and a flat back. There are so many beautiful, ruffled waterlily dahlias coming from the hybridizers of Sandia Rose at Birch Bay Dahlias! Here are few more of their beauties that we carry in our tuber store.
Orchette forms (like Bloomquist Exotic) are also star-shaped, with amazing quilled petals that roll into a point at the tips. They have a small cluster of ruffled petaloids at the center of each petal. Gorgeous Orchid form dahlias (like Verrone’s Ele), are very similar to Orchette form dahlias but do not contain any petaloids.]
Single dahlias have open centers and a single row of petals (like Bloomquist Dainty). These are pollinator favorites!
Mignon-single form dahlias are usually considered to be single flowers, despite random teeny petaloids. They have very small blooms which are less than 2″ across, like U2 Ania pictured below.
How many forms were you familiar with? Which is your favorite category? You can learn about the micro forms, the newer
“peony” form, and find many more details on the American Dahlia Society website.
Bonus: Here is a video showing all these forms in one bouquet! It’s as close to a monochromatic bouquet as we could get with 16 forms in it… but it is still interesting because the diversity of forms.
Want to learn more about growing dahlias?
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