If you’ve spent any time browsing seed catalogs or scrolling through flower farm photos, you’ve probably noticed that not all dahlias look alike. In fact, one of the reasons dahlias have become so popular is the incredible variety of shapes, sizes, and colors they offer.

This is my first year growing dahlias, and I quickly learned that choosing varieties can be a bit overwhelming. I thought I knew what a dahlia looked like – but quickly realized there were way more types than I realized!

If you’re new to dahlias like I am, here’s a simple guide to the most common types you’ll encounter.

Dinner Plate Dahlias

When most people think of dahlias, they picture the enormous blooms known as dinner plate dahlias.

These flowers can reach 8 to 12 inches across (aka the size of a dinner plate), making them some of the largest blooms you can grow in a cutting garden. Their dramatic size makes them a showstopper in flower beds and bouquets.

Popular dinner plate varieties include:

• Café au Lait
• Fleurel
• Kelvin Floodlight
• Labyrinth

Because the blooms are so large, many dinner plate dahlias benefit from sturdy staking and support throughout the growing season.

Ball Dahlias

Ball dahlias produce sphere-shaped blooms made up of tightly arranged petals. They have very neat and symmetrical appearance, and tend to be 3 to 4 inches wide.

Popular varieties include:

• Cornel
• Jowey Nicky
• Ivanetti
• Petra’s Wedding

Ball dahlias tend to have the best vase life!

Pompon Dahlias

Pompon dahlias look similar to ball dahlias but are much smaller- less than 2 inches in diameter.

Popular varieties include:

• Franz Kafka
• Small World
• Wizard of Oz

These blooms are typically seen as filler in bouquets.

Cactus Dahlias

Cactus dahlias have petals that roll backward and end in pointed tips. This creates a spiky and dramatic appearance.

Popular varieties include:

• Park Princess
• My Love
• Hollyhill Spider Woman

Cactus dahlias are incredibly popular due to their different look.

Semi-Cactus Dahlias

Semi-cactus dahlias are a great mix between decorative and cactus types. Their petals are partially rolled, however they still tend to have a spikey appearance.

Popular varieties include:

• Orange Nugget
• Kenora Macop-B

Waterlily Dahlias

Waterlily dahlias look just like that – water lilies. They have a flatter appearance.

These dahlias have a very elegant appearance.

Popular varieties include:

• Karma Prospero
• Creme de Cognac
• Rancho

These tend to be a favorite bloom in wedding and event arrangements.

Anemone Dahlias

Anemone dahlias feature a ring of flat outer petals surrounding a fluffy center made up of tubular florets.

They are whimsical and petite compared to other varieties, but due to their open face they are a pollinator favorite!

Popular varieties include:

• Totally Tangerine
• Blue Bayou
• Polka

Single Dahlias

Single dahlias have one row of petals surrounding an open center.

While they may not have the fullness of other dahlia types, they provide excellent pollinator habitat and offer a more natural look.

These varieties work beautifully in cottage gardens and mixed borders.

Which Dahlia Type Should You Grow?

The answer depends on what you hope to achieve in your garden.

If you want huge, dramatic blooms, choose dinner plate dahlias.

If you’re growing flowers for bouquets, ball and decorative dahlias are excellent choices thanks to their strong stems and long vase life.

For texture and unique shapes, try cactus, semi-cactus, or anemone varieties.

And if supporting pollinators is a priority, single dahlias are wonderful additions to the garden.

As a first-time dahlia grower, I’m experimenting with several different types this year and can’t wait to see which become my favorites. No matter which varieties you choose, dahlias have a way of making every summer garden feel a little more magical.