All in the Family Dahlias
I like to call this group- The Sibling Dahlias. Sometimes I even plant them all together just so I can tell people about them when they come to visit the farm. Cornel is the original, bred a long time ago by Cor Geerlings (Geerlings Dahlia) in the Netherlands. The variety often sports so several other dahlias have come from this line. I grow these three on a consistent basis, although I have tried the others.
Cornel is the perfect red, deep and crimson. I don’t grow a lot of red dahlias but I’ll always grow this one.
Cornel Bronze- sometimes it amazes me how popular this dahlia still is after how long it’s been around. But then it blooms and I remember just how great it is- perfect for just about any situation. The best autumnal tone!
Caitlyn’s Joy- This one is a color changer- darker pinky/purple in heat and fades to more of a muted mauve tone when it cools. Perfect for blending colors together.
My Florists’ Favorite Dahlias
Most of my dahlias are sold to florists so I can always tell what’s popular by how quickly a variety sells out. And finally after 13+ years of growing— it was a yellow this year!! I love yellow flowers and have been hoping for yellow to finally have it’s day.
20th Ave Gwen- She stole the show this year! We grew a lot but still ran out most weeks. She can change color some depending on temperature but is always primarily a yellow.
20th Ave Memory- it took a long time but I finally found the perfect blush. Where was this when blush and white weddings were all the rage? Pinker in high heat and blushy in cooler weather.
Cafe Au Lait- You didn’t think I was going to skip this one did you? It’s the one dahlia that every florist knows by name. And it actually does quite well in a hot climate. Most of the time, it’s creamy and blushy but you do get the occasionally brighter pink bloom- this is normal for cafe.
Ryecroft Jan- This is my go to when I get a request for a modern white ball dahlia. Very strong stems and holds it’s center well even in high heat- definitely a must have for florist sales.
My Top 5 Heat Tolerant Dahlias
What is heat tolerance in a dahlia? Well in my world, this is what I judge by: holds it’s center closed in high temps/stress, strong stems, gives a minimum of 5 blooms per plant per season, plant is unbothered by drought, too much heat or water.
These are my top 5 that I rely on constantly year after year.
Peaches N Cream- You knew I was going to say this didn’t you? But in all seriousness- it just keeps blooming. Strong plant that puts up with whatever our crazy climate throws at it!
Blizzard- Every dahlia garden needs a good white. And well— these babies made it through a hurricane, enough said I think.
Wine Eyed Jill- if you can embrace her ever changing color (I love it!), this one is a sure thing. And if you live somewhere that dahlias bloom in the cool months of the year- that’s when she has the best color. It’ll blow your mind!
Linda’s Baby- the perfect shade of coral. Blooms early and often, usually still going when we frost!
Sweet Fabienne- it’s hard to get pinks right when it comes to dahlias. They often have a lilac cast to them. This one is a pretty true pink in real life. She’s of course hard to photograph - the first picture is the most accurate color wise.
Garden Variety Stunners
I grow a lot of dahlias for production purposes but even I keep a few varieties around simply because they make you go — Ohhhh look at that! So here are my top garden variety stunners! These will make all your visitors stop and stare!
Hollyhill Black Beauty- my favorite burgundy dahlia- is she as productive as others, no- but she’s worth it! The fluffy skirt her petals make as she opens is to die for!
Hapet Champagne- So. Many. Petals! And her color change is fun- starts off soft yellow with a pinky center in high heat and then goes to peachy perfection with pink highlights as the weather cools.
Hilltop Lost Treasure- This is a dahlia that you need to see in person. That’s what several people told me after our Dahlia Days Tour- Hilltop Lost Treasure totally changed their mind about semi-cactus dahlias. I love her twisty cactus like petals! She has a great color fade too- very vibrant in the field and then fades to more muted tones in the vase - it’s beautiful!
Tahoma Curve- It thrives in warm climate gardens. It really keeps up with the heat, produces blooms regularly and has beautiful coloring
3 New Varieties from our Test Garden
We grow out each variety we offer for at least 3 years before selling. And this year and next, I’ve got several that have made the grade. I’d like you to meet 3 new varieties we are offering as rooted cuttings this year. (Tubers in future years once we build up more stock)
Ferncliff Apricot- I’d been looking for a solid “Fall Color” peach- something that had an autumnal tone to it and not so spring looking when I found Ferncliff Apricot. Ferncliff dahlias are bred in Canada so sometimes I’m hesitant to try them because the climate is so different but this beauty impressed me from the start. Nice strong dark color stems, great form- holds it’s center even in heat. The peachy color is perfect- warm and inviting without being too orange.
Mikayla Miranda- This dahlia is no stranger, she’s been around for a long time. But it’s the first time I’ve ever grown her. She’s definitely one of those who looks better in person than in a picture. My employee picked her out actually- I probably wouldn’t have been inclined to try her. But I love her pillowy softness as she opens fully. Definitely one for design work with the added fluffiness but will also look great in a garden because she holds well on the plant. I love her size too- large but not in your face large. It’s nice to have some larger dahlias to choose from in our new varieties because we lost so many to deer pressure in the 2024 season.
Versa- I’m a sucker for a darker reverse petal dahlia. That’s why I loved Creme De Cassis but she doesn’t work well for production growing. But Versa might just fit the bill for a bit of fun! Visitors to the farm almost always commented on this one. I’m getting asked more and more for purples and lavenders these days so time to multiply these beauties.
