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Various flowers bloom side by side, showcasing vibrant hues of pink, white, orange, and red petals, creating a colorful and densely packed floral arrangement.

All About the Dahlia

A vibrant bouquet of assorted dahlias, displaying colors like purple, yellow, orange, pink, and white, arranged closely together with green leaves, set against a sunny outdoor backdrop.

About Dahlia Flowers

One of the most popular and beloved summer flowers, dahlias are known for their large, colorful, ornate blooms. The dahlia plant is a genus of the Asteraceae family, which also includes flowers such as sunflowers, mums, and zinnias. Dahlias are native to Central America and Mexico and were initially grown as a food source for their edible tubers. A perennial plant, dahlias bloom from mid-summer through fall and do best in regions with a moist, moderate climate.

Popular Dahlia Varieties

Bright pink and red flowers with yellow centers are blooming on dark green stems, surrounded by lush green foliage in a garden setting.

Mignon Dahlias

An orange-pink flower with multiple long petals radiates outward from a yellow center, set against a background of dark green leaves.

Single Dahlias

A vibrant red flower with yellow stamens blooms outdoors, with a green, blurred background highlighting its vivid color and detailed petals.

Peony-Flowered Dahlias

Brightly colored daisy-shaped flowers with pointed yellow and red petals and central yellow disks bloom in a lush green garden.

Orchid Dahlias

A vibrant pink pom pom dahlia blooms prominently, and another dahlia in the blurred background.

Pompom Dahlias

Two peach dahlias bloom amidst lush green foliage, their petals in tight, spiral formations, basking in soft, natural light.

Ball Dahlias

A vibrant dahlia flower with yellow and pink petals radiates from its center, displayed against a soft, dark green background.

Cactus Dahlias

A white and magenta dahlia flower blooms vibrantly within a lush green garden.

Semi Cactus Dahlias

A vibrant pink dahlia blooming, with yellow accents at its center, surrounded by green foliage in a garden setting.

Decorative Dahlias

A large, vibrant pink and peach dahlia blooms surrounded by lush green leaves in a garden setting.

Dinnerplate Dahlias

A vibrant red dahlia with a yellow center and white accents on its petals amid a blurred green background.

Collarette Dahlias

Bright pink dahlias blooming in a garden, displaying layered petals in shades of pink with a blurred green and purple background.

Waterlily Dahlias

Characteristics of Dahlias

Dahlias have composite flower heads with a central disc and surrounding florets. They come in a vast array of brilliant colors and a wide variety of shapes and textures with single flowering and double flowering groups.There are 14 classification orders based on bloom type and over 20,000 dahlia varieties, with blossoms ranging from two inches to 10+ inches in diameter.

From simple bloom types with rounded flat petals to pom-pom blooms with tightly rolled petals, the eclectic textures and exotic beauty of dahlias are a sight to behold. A stunning cut flower, dahlias have a vase life of 4-7 days.

The dahlia's beauty, size, and vibrant color make it one of the most sought-after ornamental blooms amongst brides, florists, gardeners, and flower lovers.

Fascinating Facts About the Dahlia

  • Aztecs used the dahlia plant for treating epilepsy.
  • A substance derived from the tubers of dahlias was used as a treatment for diabetes before insulin came about.
  • The Dahlia is the national flower of Mexico.
  • The dahlia is the official flower of Seattle and San Francisco.
  • Aztecs ate dahlia tubers as a food source.
  • Dahlia flower petals and the tuber are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked.
  • Dahlias were initially classified as a vegetable.
  • Though edible by humans, dahlias are toxic to small animals
  • Dahlias are the recognized flower for a couple's 14th anniversary.
  • There are no true blue or black dahlias; the so-called "black" dahlia is actually a dark burgundy.

Dahlia Symbolism

Dahlias symbolize elegance, creativity, positivity, and growth. It also represents inner strength, likely due to the plant's ability to tolerate harsh conditions. Other general meanings associated with the dahlia is gracefulness, standing out in a crowd, and embracing positive changes. During the Victorian age, dahlias symbolized a strong bond and everlasting love between two people. Dahlias have different symbolism based on their color, too, such as:

A bright red dahlia flower blooms vibrantly, with multiple layers of petals. It stands against a blurred, colorful garden background.

Red Dahlia

Power and strength

A light pink dahlia flower blooms vibrantly, displaying numerous layered petals, amidst lush green foliage.

White Dahlia

Virtue and innocence

A pink dahlia flower blooms in close-up, displaying multilayered petals with a yellow center, surrounded by green foliage and additional pink blooms in a garden setting.

Pink Dahlia

Kindness, beauty, and grace

A vibrant purple dahlia in full bloom stands out against a backdrop of green foliage, with a small insect resting on one of its petals.

Purple Dahlia

Dignity and royalty

Close-up of a green chrysanthemum flower, showing its densely packed petals opening outward. The background is a blurred continuation of the chrysanthemum's petals, emphasizing the flower's structure.

Green Dahlia

Fresh start and positive change

A deep red and purple flower in full bloom with layered petals, set against a blurred green background.

"Black" Dahlia

Betrayal and sadness

Dahlia Occasions

Emanating positive energy and symbolizing "everlasting love," a dahlia bouquet is a beautiful and meaningful gift to give to your special person. Perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, or "just because," the striking beauty and vibrant color of dahlias are sure to make a lasting impression!

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