Find A New Favourite With Undiscovered Dahlias

Why just stick to what you know when there are so many dahlias to choose from? Graham Rice unearths some tempting tubers you may not have grown before…

- Graham Rice

Six and a half thousand different dahlias are listed in the Royal Horticultural Society’s plant database. That’s a lot of dahlias. And while many of us are familiar with the most famous of them all, ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, an awful lot of the remainder are just not on our radar.

But here’s the thing: the vast majority of these dahlias are great plants. It’s all really a matter of taste. Some of us only grow varieties with flowers the size of dinner plates; others won’t have them in the garden. A florist friend of mine has banned yellow dahlias from her shop, but I love their vivid brightness.

The point is that there are a wealth of different dahlia varieties, with more new ones being released every year, so it’s easy to miss some genuine beauties. Real gems in gorgeous colours, unusual colour combinations or intriguing flower forms are just waiting to be discovered.

In recent years, we’ve seen a number of dahlia trends emerging: demand for varieties with bronzed or almost black foliage is increasing; we’re growing more varieties with flowers that attract pollinators; we’re also seeking out shorter varieties suited to patio pots and small borders. As a result, a number of older, previously neglected varieties have enjoyed a welcome return to favour, while new introductions have been developed.

New series

Many dahlias are now available in series – collections of similar varieties such as the Happy Single series and the Mystic series. Both of those tick all three ‘trend’ boxes by mixing dark foliage with single, bee-friendly flowers and short stature.