Is your garden or flower arrangement lacking a pop of color? As a gardener, I’ve always found dahlias to be an exceptional choice for adding vibrant hues to my garden.
Renowned for their extensive palette—ranging from delicate blush pinks to striking reds—these flowers offer creative freedom to experiment with your garden’s look.
Also, did you know that their color changes? This adds an extra layer of intrigue to their beauty.
Below is the stunning spectrum of dahlia shades and hues.
The Spectrum of Dahlia Colors According to the American Dahlia Society
Non-profit organization The American Dahlia Society (ADS) officially listed 15 dahlia colors that include the following:
Pink
A popular choice among gardeners, pink dahlia comes in different shades and hues of pink, from blush pink to hot rose. These flowers symbolize grace and admiration, commonly used in wedding bouquets and other romantic occasions.
Also, pink dahlias in landscapes add a more romantic feel.
- ‘Cafe au Lait’ is known as “dinner plate dahlias.” They have an elegant blush-pink tone that’s perfect as a whimsical dinner centerpiece.
- ‘Chilson’s Pride’ has the perfect pale pink hue that fades to blush during the summer heat.
- ‘Esli’ is a 3-inch decorative flower ranging from pale to dark pink with hints of cream and yellow at the center.
- ‘Rebecca Lynn’ adds a pop of color with its dainty, deep rose color. It blooms approximately 3 inches in diameter, perfect for bouquets.
Red
Red dahlias are excellent if you want to go for a bolder statement. They are ideal for expressing love and deep emotions.
Besides being a standout, they also attract pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds, blooming from midsummer through late fall.
- ‘Alva’s Doris’ is a semi-cactus dahlia with spiky, prickly petals that look stunning in a cut flower arrangement.
- ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ boasts rounded scarlet petals and dark foliage with overlapping petals that create a dramatic effect.
- ‘Babylon Red’ dahlias are a long-lasting, 8-inch dinner plate variety that blooms in fully double, fiery ruby-red flowers.
White
White dahlias bring a clean, fresh look to any garden. Their blooms can range from small pom-pom shapes to large dinner plate sizes with subtle hints of cream or pale yellow at their centers.
Frequently chosen for weddings, white dahlias symbolize innocence, hope, and new beginnings.
- ‘White Onesta’ can reach up to 15–25 cm in diameter with a hint of green at the heart. This variety can last long, even after being cut.
- ‘Eternal Snow’ is a large, water lily-type flower with a slight greenish-yellow hue at the center.
- ‘Snowcap’ can be used as a decoration because of its elegant cream-white blooms that can sometimes show a hint of yellow at the center.
- ‘Center Court’ is notable for its stunning pure white bloom and strong growth—about 4–5 feet tall.
Yellow
If bright and cheerful are your peg, then yellow dahlias are your best options. Their blooms can add a touch of sunshine to your day, as they exude warmth and happiness.
These dahlias can range from soft buttery yellow to bright, sunny yellow.
- ‘Cabana Banana’ is a stunning semi-cactus dahlia that can bloom over 90 days on average, flowering in summer and fall.
- ‘Jowey Martina’ has beautiful large, round blooms in a lovely pale yellow color, attracting bees.
- ‘Bocherell’ produces compact yellow flowers which are a great choice for borders and smaller gardens.
- ‘Polventon Supreme’ has a soft yellow bloom with branches that can grow by up to 3–4 feet. It’s favored for cutting because its long vase life and strong stems make it ideal.
Purple
Purple dahlias range from soft lavender to deep, rich purple that complements any garden. Their hues are often used in sophisticated arrangements because they give a luxurious and regal feel.
- ‘Babylon Purple’ flaunts a large size bloom with an almost magenta-purple shade, and it’s held by a strong stem. Categorized as decorative dahlia, they generally grow to about 4 to 4.5 feet.
- ‘Diva’ features a deep, jewel-toned purple hue and has sturdy stems.
- ‘Purple Gem’ is a cactus-type dahlia featuring spiky, vibrant purple blooms that create a dramatic effect.
- ‘Virtuoso Vibrant Violet’ is a newer variety with striking violet blooms. For that reason, it’s a standout choice for modern gardens and floral arrangements.
Orange
Orange dahlias come in various shades, from soft peach to bright, fiery orange. They add an enthusiastic and energetic vibe to your garden bed—perfect for the fall season.
- ‘Jowey Paula’ showcases bright orange flowers with a unique shape. The color may vary depending on the timing of the season.
- ‘Amber Queen’ has golden-orange blooms with slightly darker orange backs, creating a warm, bronze appearance. These small, rounded flowers measure 2 inches in diameter.
- ‘Ariko Zsaza’ is known for its striking bright orange blooms, sturdy stems, and compact growth. It’s a great choice for container gardening and smaller spaces.
Lavender
Soft and soothing, lavender dahlias are popular due to their striking blossoms. Their gentler tones add a serene and elegant touch to gardens.
- ‘Moonstone’ dahlias’ alluring lavender hues radiate a soft, peaceful glow. These prolific bloomers provide a long-lasting color since they produce flowers from midsummer until the first frost.
- ‘Pixie Lavender’ showcases charming double blooms and tightly packed petals.
- ‘Lilac Time’ produces eye-catching, bold purple-pink blooms well-suited for cooler climates, as they are resilient to frost.
Dark Pink
Dark pink dahlias come in a darker spectrum of pink shades, from deep magenta to softer rose tones. Moreover, they add drama and a pop of color to a landscape.
- ‘Magenta Star’ dahlias are vibrant magenta-pink flowers with a dark reddish-brown center and gold-fringed petals.
- ‘Penhill Dark Monarch’ has a blend of dusky rose, raspberry, and peach with a slightly darker center. It produces giant blooms that typically measure 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
- ‘Feline Yvonne’ has a classic dahlia shape and stunning dark pink blooms, and it’s perfect for cutting.
Flame
Flame dahlias display a mix of red, orange, and yellow, exuding energy and vibrancy.
Many of them are classified as single or semi-double flowers, meaning they have fewer petals than fully double varieties. Because of this, they have a more open and airy appearance.
- ‘Summer Flame’ has a spicy apricot-to-tangerine hue with dark green foliage that provides a beautiful contrast to the bright flowers.
- ‘Dreamy Flame’ is unique for its self-cleaning characteristic. This means the spent bloom drops off naturally, which reduces maintenance.
- ‘Flamethrowers’ are striking red dahlias with unique yellow edges that create a fiery appearance. Its relaxed petal arrangement adds to its charm and appeal.
- ‘Fire Magic’ is a semi-cactus dahlia with a distinctive shade of smoky fuchsia and mauve overtones, almost similar to a watermelon.
Light Blend
Light blend dahlias are a fusion of softer, pastel tones, such as pink, yellow, lavender, and other pastel hues. Moreover, their soft aesthetic creates a romantic look which makes them ideal for cottage gardens and pastel-themed floral arrangements.
- ‘Mocha Katie’ produces blooms in soft peaches with raspberry edging and light raspberry wash, creating a warm appearance that changes slightly throughout the season.
- ‘Pearly Gates’ dahlias have long-lasting white blooms with a hint of soft pink that can thrive in various conditions.
- ‘Coralie’ displays a vibrant coral color and grows into large double blooms.
- ‘Wyn’s New Pastel’ blends soft pastel colors that include light pinks and creams.
Dark Red
These dark red dahlias feature deep, rich hues that can range from deep crimson to burgundy. Because they have an intense color, they add a sense of drama and luxury to any landscape and arrangement.
- ‘Arabian Night’ are deep burgundy dahlias that can appear black, especially in low light. Its striking color and strong stems add a dramatic touch to gardens and bouquets, and it’s ideal for mixed borders and containers.
- ‘Zorro’ dahlias are known for their deep red flowers with a darker center, exhibiting a velvety texture. They produce large, fully double flowers that are excellent for cutting.
- ‘Red Fox’ features striking fire-red, rounded petals with blooms measuring 7 to 10 cm in diameter. Moreover, they are resilient and adaptable in various growing conditions.
Bronze
Earthy, warm, and metallic are among the best descriptions for bronze dahlias. Its colors can vary from light to dark as the season progresses, providing a dynamic visual appeal in the garden.
Many bronze dahlias have perfectly rounded, ball-shaped blooms, which makes them aesthetically pleasing.
- ‘Baarn Bounty’ boasts stunning blooms in warm coral and apricot hues that create a beautiful bronze shade together.
- ‘Cornel Bronze’ features soft bronze-orange blooms that typically grow to about 42 inches tall and produce numerous flowers.
- ‘Crème de Cognac’ is recognized for its fully double, long-lasting blooms and sturdy stems.
- ‘Ferncliff Copper’ dahlias have petals that exhibit warm coppery tones. They are also known for their large, fully double blooms.
Dark Blend
Dark blend dahlias flaunt a mix of deep colors, mostly dark reds, purples, and blacks. Many have dark or nearly black foliage, which enhances the vibrancy of the blooms.
- ‘TLC Kiss’ has a unique flower shape, resembling a blend of decorative and cactus forms with spiky petals. It also displays a mix of dark red and purple tones with a gradient effect.
- ‘Dracula Dark Angel’ is known for its distinct elongated deep, dark maroon petals. These blooms are luscious and can reach up to 8 inches in diameter.
- ‘Chick A Dee,’ a button-shaped flower, boasts a striking blend of red and white splotches.
Bi-Color/Multi-Color
Bi-colored/multi-colored dahlias showcase two or more distinct colors, creating a striking contrast. Their color combinations like pink and white, yellow and red, or purple and orange add visual interest to a landscape.
They are also available in various forms, such as decorative, cactus, and pompon.
- ‘A.C. Sandra J’ is a medium informal decorative dahlia renowned for its beautiful pink and white bi-blend and 6 to 8-inch fluffy blooms.
- ‘Karma Choc’ is known for its deep chocolate brown petals with hints of red and large double blooms.
- ‘Ala Mode’s’ petals have a mix of soft pink and creamy white and a hint of lavender.
Variegated
Variegated dahlias display two or more colors in patterns like dots, splashes, or stripes, adding texture and complexity. These unique flowers can help create eye-catching arrangements, enhancing garden visual interest.
- ‘Hulin’s Carnival’ features a vibrant mix of bright red, yellow, and orange that evokes a carnival theme. They also have large double blooms, providing a cheerful and eye-catching display in gardens.
- ‘Hollyhill Six-in-One’ is recognized for its unique flower structure, which features multiple colors—pink, yellow, and white—on a single bloom.
- ‘Hollyhill Joker’s Wild’ has a playful, whimsical mix of bright pink, yellow, and white, often with a speckled or mottled effect.
Is there such a thing as a blue dahlia flower?
No. True blue dahlias don’t exist because they don’t have the gene to produce blue pigment. However, there were attempts to grow them.
Breeders have tried advanced techniques and engineering to cultivate blue dahlias for years. However, the closest they’ve got are shades of mauve or purple. True blue dahlias remain elusive because of these genetic limitations.
Why do dahlias’ colors change?
A dahlia’s color changes over time primarily because of its unique genetic makeup and environmental factors.
Dahlias have eight sets of chromosomes, unlike most living things, which have only two sets, like humans. This complex genetic makeup makes dahlias naturally unstable, leading to their wide range of colors. Over time, this instability can cause color changes, especially in variegated dahlias.
Environmental factors also play a role in dahlia color changes. The intensity of sunlight affects the brightness of their colors, with more direct sunlight leading to more vivid blooms. Furthermore, flavonoid pigments like anthocyanins and deoxychalcones determine the color intensity and variation.
