New Dahlias for 2018
I came to dahlias relatively late in life. Had I gotten an earlier start, by now I would have grown hundreds of different varieties. As it is, I’m playing catch up. There are still so many dahlias I have yet to grow — and I want try them all.
As usual, this year’s list includes far more varieties than I have room for. So, it’s time to make some tough calls and get my orders placed while there’s still a good selection. If you are in the same situation , I’m afraid I won’t be much help. Instead, I’d like to tempt you with our nine new dahlias for 2018. Here’s a quick look:
A returning favorite: H.S. Flame
More Single Dahlias
If you’re not already a fan of these daisy-like dahlias, this is the year to see what you’ve been missing. We are offering three new varieties as well as returning favorites HS Date, HS Flame and Bishop of Llandaff.
Bishop of Dover‘s pure white petals are kissed with lilac-pink. Like other members of the Bishop series, the sturdy plants have glossy, bronze-maroon leaves. This foliage is a beautiful backdrop for the pale flowers. It also makes these plants an attractive addition to perennial borders, landscaped beds and even large containers. Long, dark stems make Bishop of Dover a good cut flower as well.
I am very excited about growing this new dahlia. Though I’m not usually big on pink, this two-tone combination looks so cheery. Like most other single dahlias, Bright Eyes has dark, wiry stems that hold the flowers up above the foliage. You can count on them to attract butterflies, honeybees and all sorts of other pollinators.
Sneezy is an heirloom variety that’s been around since the 1940s. Classified as a mignon dahlia (which means cute and little in French), it grows just 12-18” tall and has 2-4” diameter flowers. As with all dahlias, Sneezy will hit its stride in late summer and early fall after most other flowers are past their prime. A cool, fresh look for late in the season.
Photo from Elizabeth Ann Designs
More Wedding Whites
Is there a wedding in your life this summer? If so, a ready supply of flowers may come in handy. And if they’re white, all the better. With weddings in mind, we have added four new dahlias with beautiful white flowers. You have already seen Bishop of Dover and Sneezy. Here are the other two.
Petra’s Wedding
These frosty white ball dahlias are a honeycomb of tightly rolled petals. The 3” blossoms are a must for arrangements, where they help to create rhythm and add a nice textural contrast among other flower shapes and sizes. Petra’s Wedding is also a sturdy plant for flower beds.
White Aster
A sweet little pompon dahlia with flowers that measure just 1 to 2” in diameter. White Aster was first introduced way back in 1879, which makes it a real heirloom! Known to be dependable and long-lasting, it’s still very popular for wedding bouquets. The flowers are creamy white with a yellow-green glow in the center.
More Cutting Garden Favorites
What’s a few more new dahlias among friends? Sure, we already have more than 90 varieties to choose from, but take a look and these new ones and you’ll see why we couldn’t resist. Three of them come highly recommended by British flower diva Sarah Raven.
Jowey Mirella
Floral designers love ball dahlias because the flowers are strong and not easily bruised. They also have a long vase life. Jowey Mirella has all that and more. The striking, burgundy-black flowers look great in the garden and will add drama to all your summer arrangements.
Jescot Julie
The petals on these frilly, two-tone blossoms are apricot above and raspberry-red below. It’s an unusual look that blends beautifully with other flower shapes and colors. Jescot Julie‘s 4-5” flowers are held high on sturdy plants with dark, blue-green foliage.
Penhill Dark Monarch
This dinnerplate dahlia gets rave reviews from both Floret and Sarah Raven. The blossoms measure a full 10” across and the color is a stunning blend of peach, plum and raspberry. Long, twisting petals give Penhill Dark Monarch‘s flowers a casual, slightly disheveled look.
David Howard
This award-winning dahlia has been around for 60 years and is still one of the best oranges. The 4-5” flowers have full heads and rounded petals in a lovely shade of apricot. As they mature, the blossoms open to reveal a chocolate brown center that attracts bees and butterflies. David Howard also has dark, maroon-black foliage.
If any of these new (to us) varieties are appealing, now is the time to reserve them. Quantities are always limited, so ordering early is the only way to make sure you will get the varieties you really want.
Learn more about dahlias here: Types of Dahlias, 8 Tips for Growing Better Dahlias and All About Dahlias.
