A key consideration when choosing the best types of dahlias is knowing they will last as long as possible. You need to make sure your favorites are up to the task of producing long-flowering displays.
There are over 40 species and thousands of dahlia varieties, plus countless hybrids. But if you are looking to grow dahlias specifically for their staying power, choose pompon dahlias, small and miniature ball breeds, and compact cactus varieties. Not only are these perfectly suited to gardens of any size, they are the best options for making the flowering season last longer.
Extending the season has a lot to do with making things trickier for bees. Single-flowered dahlias, with a few rows of petals around a yellow eye, are easy for bees – when they land, the pollen is right there, so they collect it and pollinate the flower at the same time. At that point, flowers start to fade. By contrast, dahlia flowers packed with petals are harder for the bees to pollinate. Small and miniature ball and pompon varieties (and cactus types with tube-like shapes) are a struggle to pollinate so they last longer, although the bees do get there in the end!
16 types of dahlias to try
As well as needing dahlia displays that last for months, you should look for dahlias that fit in with other flowers and bloom well into the fall. Consider varieties that are not overdominant and blend well with other plants in mixed flower bed ideas and border arrangements.
Below are some of the best dahlias in a selection of pompon styles, plus small and miniature ball and cactus varieties. They complement other flowers in mixed arrangements and are particularly long flowering.
1. Dahlia ‘Cornel’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 4ft
- Good for: Large patio pots
‘Cornel’ is one of the most long-lasting pompon dahlias. It has rich, velvety, cherry red flowers that are 4in across. These are slightly darker in the center and tightly packed with petals. This is one of the dahlia varieties that is especially productive, reliable and weather resistant.
If you want to grow dahlias in pots, this one works well in large patio tubs, as well as planted in mixed borders. It is also great for cutting. Partner with bronze-leaved castor oil plants or variegated miscanthus.
2. Dahlia ‘Franz Kafka’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 32in
- Good for: Cottage gardens
This pompon dahlia forms flower heads like slightly flattened spheres 2-3in across. The shell-like lilac pink petals are tightly packed, beautifully arranged and reward close inspection.
‘Franz Kafka’ is one of the best dahlias for mixed borders and patio pots. It is also amongst the best cottage garden plants you can grow, and capable of lovely cut flowers. Partners well with pastel roses and silver foliage.
3. Dahlia ‘Kasasagi’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlia
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 32in
- Good for: Sunflower themes
If you’re after a dahlia for mixed borders and cutting gardens, ‘Kasasagi’ (available at Etsy) is an ideal pompon variety. It sparkles in a sunny border and partners well with crocosmias and kniphofias. If you grow sunflowers, this is also a smart dahlia to grow alongside small-flowered helianthus.
Uniquely bicoloured 2in flowers have bright yellow centers. Each small floret matures to bright yellow with rich orange backs and edges, all held on orange-tinted stems.
4. Dahlia ‘Moor Place’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 40in
- Good for: Exhibitions, cutting gardens
Dahlia ‘Moor Place’ is an exceptionally productive variety. It features small 2in flowers in a sumptuous wine-purple shade. This is slightly darker in the center, with the petals rolling back right under the flower to make an elegant symmetrical shape.
This is one of the most striking dahlia varieties and partners well with pale blue larkspur and foamy white aruncus. Remember to deadhead dahlias promptly so fading flowers don’t detract from its rich display.
5. Dahlia ‘Nuland’s Josephine’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 3ft
- Good for: Mixed borders
For gardeners with an eye on more adventurous garden color schemes, ‘Nuland’s Josephine’ is a bold and unique pompon dahlia. Its tones have been likened to rhubarb and custard. It is one of the best dahlias for mixed borders, subtle dahlia combinations and exhibitions.
Flowers are three inches in diameter. Each shell-shaped floret is a rich rose wine shade on the outside and peachy gold on the inside. It partners well with other pinks and peachy shades, or planted in front of a silver-leaved shrub.
6. Dahlia ‘Rhonda Suzanne’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 4ft
- Good for: Cutting gardens
Another of the most dazzling dahlia varieties for perennial sunflowers in lemony shades, ‘Rhonda Suzanne’ AGM also works well alongside other purple plants and those with silver foliage. It looks stunning in mixed borders and cutting gardens, and especially pretty in small posies.
This dahlia has neat little 2in green-eyed flowers, with florets in a tight symmetrical pattern. They are a slightly variable blend of rich purple and white. Expect variations in the richness of the purple, depending on the weather and rainfall.
7. Dahlia ‘Small World’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 5ft
- Good for: Grasses, meadow styles
‘Small World’ AGM (available at Walmart) is exceptionally productive over a long period. For those interested in white garden ideas, this is one of the best dahlias you can grow. It looks especially lovely partnered with green-leaved grasses and purple Michaelmas daisies.
Its brilliant white ball-shaped flowers are lemony in the centers. The stems are long and strong and the flowers are weatherproof. Deadhead promptly as the browning petals can detract from the pale flowers.
8. Dahlia ‘Willo’s Borealis’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 4ft
- Good for: Asters, pompon themes
The neat pompons of ‘Willo’s Borealis’ are filled with rich lavender florets. These are dark in the center at first, developing a yellow eye as flowers mature. Pinch once to prompt a flurry of long-stemmed blooms.
This is a great dahlia variety for themed displays of different pompon breeds, cutting gardens and exhibitions. Partner with other pompon varieties in harmonious shades, such as ‘Franz Kafka’ and ‘Willo’s Violet’, plus yellow perennial asters.
9. Dahlia ‘Willo’s Violet’
- Type: Long-lasting pompon dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 4ft
- Good for: Pink and purple themes
‘Willo’s Violet’ is another one of the best perennials you can grow for exhibitions, as well as for themed displays of pompon dahlias. It is also another one of the best types of dahlias you can grow for cutting.
It is similar to ‘Willo’s Borealis’, but a noticeably darker and richer shade with a few flashes of white at its heart. Partners well with other pompons in harmonious shades, such as ‘Franz Kafka’ and yellow perennial asters.
10. Dahlia ‘Josudi Andromeda’
- Type: Long-lasting miniature cactus dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 5ft
- Good for: Mixed borders
Perfect for mixed borders and cutting garden flowers, ‘Josudi Andromeda’ is ideal if you fancy growing miniature cactus breeds. This unusually strong-growing variety is best pinched out twice to promote prolific flowering.
The startling blushed pink 2in flowers tend to richer tones in the center and are reminiscent of sea anemones. Its stems are long, but strong enough to support the flowers. This dahlia makes an appealing contrast with other pompons and ball dahlias.
11. Dahlia ‘Weston Pirate’
- Type: Long-lasting miniature cactus dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 5ft
- Good for: Red floral themes
If you want to plant a cottage garden border, ‘Weston Pirate’ AGM is amongst the most dramatic miniature cactus breeds. These dahlia varieties have rich, fiery red flowers like exploding fireworks. The 3-4in flowers look especially good against the dark green foliage.
Also ideal for mixed borders, dahlia borders and shows, they partner well with pompon or ball dahlias in similar shades – the contrast in shapes is very effective. Cut for the house or deadhead regularly.
12. Dahlia ‘Weston Spanish Dancer’
- Type: Long-lasting miniature cactus dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 3ft
- Good for: Tropical themes
Another of the best dahlias for two-toned displays, ‘Weston Spanish Dancer’ works equally well as a specimen flower and as part of a broader mixed or dahlia border. Partners beautifully with plants that have bronze foliage or intense purple blooms. Just make sure it is well supported.
This startling variety has eye-catching yellow and scarlet flowers, with heads 3-4in in diameter. The lower half of each tubular floret is bright yellow, while a few red streaks mark the transition to pointed red tips.
13. Dahlia ‘Blyton Softer Gleam’
- Type: Small ball dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 5ft
- Good for: Chrysanthemum pairings
With its soft, intriguing palette, ‘Blyton Softer Gleam’ is one of the ball dahlia varieties that seems most confused about what color it is, falling somewhere between peach and gold. The effect is stunning, though.
Coral orange as flowers open, it matures with yellow tones. The 4in flowers are packed with neat florets and fit well into a fall-infused color theme. Pairs well with hardy chrysanthemums, perennial asters and other dahlias in fall shades. Best pinched out at 12in in height.
14. Dahlia ‘Clearview Daniel’
- Type: Small ball dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 5ft
- Good for: bronze and yellow themes
‘Clearview Daniel’ is a classically rounded, 4in ball-shaped flower in a pure lemon yellow. This is a striking American variety which is making its mark on both sides of the Atlantic. It is an unusually strong growing variety with stout stems, so it’s great in exposed situations.
It is one of the best dahlias for a small backyard, creating long-lasting displays in mixed and dahlia borders, as well as shows. Pairs especially well with dahlias that have bronze leaves, such as the Bishop Series.
15. Dahlia ‘Hamari Rose’
- Type: Miniature ball dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 4-5ft
- Good for: Rose pairings
Creating the perfect complement to long-season roses and bronze-leaved cannas, ‘Hamari Rose’ is one of the best dahlias for long-lasting mini ball blooms. It is perfect if you are planning a cut flower garden, and also looks great in mixed borders and dahlia borders.
Elegant, neatly arranged, 3-4in flowers have florets in rose pink, fading towards white at the edges. At the center, florets are a richer shade with a metallic or coppery look. Cut for the house, or deadhead regularly.
16. Dahlia ‘Jomanda’
- Type: Miniature ball dahlias
- Hardiness: USDA Z8
- Height: 5ft
-
Good for: Salvia pairings
Rounding off our selection of the best dahlias for long-lasting floral displays is this terracotta treat. ‘Jomanda’ is a mini ball variety that produces slightly rusty colored orange flowers (3-4in). They fit well into fall tones and are held on dark stems that make an attractive contrast.
For those who like to grow salvias, this dahlia is an ideal pairing for the deeper blue varieties. It also partners well with perennial asters and aconitums. Lovely in mixed borders, dahlia borders and cutting gardens.
What are the main types of long flowering dahlias?
Dahlias come in a huge variety, so they are classified in groups. These are decided according to flower shape and size, although categories can overlap a little. When choosing the best dahlia varieties for a long life, though, the main types are pompon, ball and cactus dahlias.
All work well in small gardens and compact spaces. Pompon dahlias have small, tightly packed, spherical blooms. They are 2in across, with individual florets rolled into a tube and flared at the mouth. Ball dahlias are similar, but a bit larger. Small ball types are 4-6in across and miniature balls are 2-4in. Finally, cactus dahlias have petals rolled into tubes, giving a spiky look. Some miniature varieties are less than 4in across.
Protecting dahlias from the first frosts of the fall is a sure way of extending the flowering season. In fact, it is often the early morning sun that does the damage, as foliage with frost on it warms up too quickly.
When you plant dahlias, choose a site that is protected from the early sun (and easterly winds) as this is a big help to ensure these stunning blooms can flower for as long as possible.
