Types and varieties of dahlias: brief description, photos

A member of the Asteraceae family. There are over 15,000 known varieties, including wild varieties and the most common garden varieties. These perennial plants have tuberous rhizomes and straight, hollow stems ranging from 30 to 250 cm in height. The leaves are pinnate, usually dark green, sometimes purple. The inflorescences are a head, up to 3 cm in diameter. The aboveground portion of the plant dies back to the root collar. Dahlias do not overwinter outdoors; the tubers are dug up after the first frost and stored in a dry, ventilated area.

The plant thrives on warmth and light, and enjoys good air circulation. It prefers loose, humus-rich soil. It also thrives in sandy soil. Low-lying and marshy areas are unsuitable for growing it. It blooms from late July until autumn. Among its drawbacks, dahlias are sensitive to strong winds and waterlogged soil.

Uses of dahlias

Large-flowered or profusely blooming dahlia varieties are suitable for single arrangements, while low-growing varieties are suitable for flower beds and borders. Almost all dahlia varieties are suitable for arrangements and bouquets.

Classification of dahlias.

First of all, flowers differ in height:

• dwarf - bush height up to 60 cm;
• low-growing - up to 80 cm;
• medium-sized - up to 120 cm;
• tall - from 120-150 cm;
• giant - over 150 cm.

Dahlia varieties by inflorescence and color:

• Single-row.Low-growing plants with single-flowered inflorescences and a single row of marginal flowers. Happy Kiss is the most striking example. Its bright orange flowers reach 10 cm.
• Anemone-like. Low-growing, semi-double, with one or more rows of marginal flowers. Named for their resemblance to anemones, this is a very popular variety.
• Blue Bayou — their basket reaches 10-15 cm. The ligulate flowers are lilac, and the tubular ones are violet.
• Asahi Chohi It has tubular flowers of white and yellow. The white ones with red stripes along the edges are the only row of ligulate flowers.
• Brio - petals of various shades, low-growing.
• Honey — are low-growing, have a yellow center and a dark pink outer circle of petals.

• CollarThis is a combination of colors and unique flower shapes. The collar itself consists of twisted petals.
• Night Butterfly — a flower of indescribable beauty. It has a yellow center, a white collar, and dark burgundy flowers.
• Alpen Marie Lloyd - a combination of different shades of raspberry color.
• Impreshn fantastico — the middle is yellow, the outer row of petals is red, and the collar is red and white.
• Fashion Monger — the ligulate petals are red-violet in color, pointed, and white at the edges.
• Flamenco - bright red outer petals, light yellow collar.
• Nymphaeaceae. One of the most beautifully growing groups. Double inflorescences up to 20 cm in diameter consist of 7 rows of petals.

The ligulate flowers of this group are flat or with slightly raised edges.

• Bahama Red have red petals with white tips. Tall.
• Seduction - a tall pink flower with a purple center.
• Sugar Cane - orange petals with white tips, with raised edges, large baskets and quite high.
• Angela — large pink flowers. Ideal for cutting.

Ornamental. One of the most common varieties. It has very large, double inflorescences. They have predominantly wide petals with rounded edges.

• Hampley — a variety with a large basket of pink or pinkish-lilac color.
• Tartan — large cherry-purple flowers with a white stripe down the middle. The petals are wavy.

• Lucky Numbr - large pink dahlia.
• Prince Carnival - light pink flowers with burgundy specks and strokes.

Spherical and pompom. They have double, spherical flowers ranging from 10 to 15 cm. They bloom profusely from early summer to late fall.

• Antie - bright red color.
• Aikun- yellow with red edges.
• Rocco - red-violet
• Silvia - a delicate salmon-orange shade.
• Annushka - purple.
• Pompom. Similar to spherical ones, differences are observed in size.

• Acrobat - The variety has dense inflorescences and pink petals curled into a tube.
• Bantling - orange.
• Anke - red, round inflorescences.
• Andrew Lockwood - pink dense baskets.

Cactus or double flowers have very large inflorescences up to 25 cm and narrow straight petals with dissected and pointed ends.

• White Star Creamy white flowers with needle-like curved petals, about 20 cm in diameter.
• Windhaven Highlight — a tall plant with yellow color and large inflorescence.
• Black Bird — a bright red variety with a burgundy center.
• Jessica - has yellow marginal flowers with red tips.
• Semi-cactiIt is a transitional form from ornamental to cactus.
• Aitara Success — colored in a combination of soft pink and light yellow. Belongs to the medium-sized variety.
• Adlerstein - tall, rich orange color.
• Ice Princess - snow-white, airy and unusually beautiful dahlias.
• Andrew Mitchell - bright red.
• Anna - delicate peach color.

The transitional group includes flowers that do not fit into other groups.

• Bishop of Llandaff - The distinctive feature is purple leaves and bright red flowers.
• Pink Giraffe - unusual pink curved petals.
• LilliputiansThey're not included in the International Classification, but they're still worth considering. They're often grown as annuals for earlier flowering. This variety, White Lilliput, is characterized by a compact bush, white flowers with a yellow center.
• Funny guys — the most common variety. This is a collection of low-growing, double, single dahlias in a variety of colors and shades.
• Giants — the largest dahlia varieties. Their inflorescences reach 25 cm in diameter. Such a large flower makes the plant very heavy, so they are planted in locations well protected from the wind.

• Tall dahlia bush Cyber ​​Climens Excellent for cutting and flowerbeds. This chameleon-like flower changes color during flowering. Large-flowered dahlia varieties are popular among amateur gardeners as hedges.

Dahlias are the only flower in the world with countless varieties. It's difficult to name the most beautiful. Each flower is beautiful and unique.