I’ve written a lot about cut flower dahlias so this is by no means an exhaustive list. In fact, last year, I released a list of 20+ Great Cut Flower Dahlias. This list is meant to be 5 new varieties that I really felt stood out this year.

Top 5 Cut Flower Varieties:

The first 2 are new to the farm this year but they really stood out. The last 3 we have been growing a few years and they’ve become clear winners for productivity and excellent growth.

All That Jazz:

All That Jazz— and yeah, it definitely is! Mid season prolific bloomer on strong stems, 4’ in height. It’s really hard to capture the color accurately. But it hits the popular rust tone that all my florists customers have been asking for! Later in the season, the bronze tips get a bit more prominent and the rust mellows a bit. Good vase life too- avg 5-6 days.

Cryfield Harmony:

I’m going to preface this with— this one is for the cool climate folks. I wish she was heat tolerant because she bloomed steady from early August until frost in November. But in high heat she shows a big yellow center. But if you are a cool climate grower, I’d recommend this one— strong stems, steady bloomer and the color goes with a lot of other shades. I found I used her a lot in bouquet work. Excellent vase life 6-7+ days regularly.

Caitlyn’s Joy:

This one truly is a joy! Prolific bloomer— although they do come all in a flush over about 4 weeks. Same growth habit as Cornel, Cornel Bronze (all it’s siblings). I love the color change on it— it’s pinky in heat but then gets this gorgeous muddy mauve as it cools down. Good sub for Jowey Winnie since the Jowey’s don’t do well in high heat/humidity.

Copper Boy:

I love the color on this- rusty red with copper tips as she fades! Great sub for Brown Sugar. Not super tall - similar in growth habit to Cornel. Seems to throw a lot of blooms in a flush over a few weeks versus a steady bloomer. Early to mid bloomer- I like to plant a bit late so it begins in mid September through October when this color is really popular.

Tahoma Curve:

This dahlia has just wormed it’s way up into my favorites list over the years. Why? It’s dependable, long lasting, no trouble to grow and it has great vase life! It’s more peachy/gold two toned in high heat and more gold in cooler weather. I’ve noticed that cactus and semi-cactus varieties seem to have better vase life and this one doesn’t disappoint in that department. Definitely here to stay on my farm!

Special Mention: KA Mocha Katie:

I’ve only had this one 2 years and last year it didn’t do great. But this year it did amazing- steady prolific bloomer. The coloring changes- it’s lighter and more yellow in high heat and then darker in cooler weather. I’m going to keep evaluating but I think this one has potential for high heat/humidity growers.

All the above varieties (except KA Mocha Katie) will be available in our tuber sales this year. Some of them might not be available until the New Year’s Day sale though.

My Top 5 Cut Flower Dahlias for 2023