Specialty Dahlias
The multitude of Dahlia forms includes some that are less common than others. Gathered here are plants that fall into the following groups:
Collarette: A ‘collar’ of short petals encircles the open center of each relatively flat flower. The color of the collar is typically in contrast to the broad, flat ray petals that surround it.
Anemone: Think of these as the pincushion Dahlias. A cluster of small, elongated disk florets creates a tufted center that is ringed by flat ray petals.
Waterlily: Mirroring the somewhat horizontal form of Waterlilies, these Dahlias have double blooms with subtly cupped petals with rounded tips. Seen from the side, the blossoms appear flatter than most other Dahlia varieties.
Orchid: Orchid Dahlias are defined by a single row of rolled petals that are evenly spaced around an open center.
Peony: Although they are called ‘Peony’-form Dahlias, these blooms more closely resemble some Zinnia flowers, at least to our eyes. Two to five rows of gently cupped petals surround an open center, and the petals are flat, not recurved, toward the stem.